Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan has welcomed the NSW Government’s decision to introduce tougher laws on the sale of illegal vapes and tobacco.
The Government’s move to crack down on the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes comes after the NSW Opposition announced they would introduce a Bill in Parliament to make NSW the hardest place in Australia to sell the dangerous products.
Mr Moylan has pushed for change to the fast-growing illegal industry and said it is about time the Premier caught up.
“Our regional communities have been calling for change on the sale of illegal vapes and tobacco for months and now the Government is finally taking action,” Mr Moylan said.
“These illegal shops run by criminals have moved into empty shops in our towns and have made these addictive, destructive and harmful products readily available, particularly for young people.
“There’s no regulation, no receipts, no consequences, and no accountability. It has gone on long enough and our communities deserve better.”
The new laws include:
- A new offence for the commercial possession of illicit tobacco with a maximum penalty of over $1.5 million and 7 years’ imprisonment.
- New penalties for the sale of illicit tobacco with a maximum penalty of over $1.5 million and 7 years’ imprisonment.
- The introduction of short-term (up to 90 days) and long-term (up to 12 months) closure orders for premises selling illicit tobacco, illegal vaping goods, or selling tobacco without a licence.
- New offences and penalties for anyone who breaches these closure orders, including for entering closed premises or selling products from closed premises.
- Lease termination powers for landlords where a closure order is in place.
- New nation-leading offences for falsely claiming to be licensed; resisting seizure; and attempting to retake seized products.
Media Release: Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan
