Vendors selling untaxed tobacco or vapes could face increased penalties and licensing requirements to sell in Australia's most populous state amid moves to crack down on a booming underground industry. or signup to continue reading The NSW bill, introduced to parliament on Thursday afternoon, will attempt to align the state with others, doubling the maximum penalties for illicit tobacco sales to $220,000 for corporations and $44,000 for individuals. Vendors must also be licensed to sell tobacco and pay an annual fee.
Health Minister Ryan Park said it was about time. "NSW is somewhat playing catch-up but it is an area that (chief health officer Kerry Chant) and I are determined to fix," Mr Park told reporters. "We're increasing our enforcement, we are increasing the fines, and we are making sure that there is a clear, dedicated licensing scheme that to be frank, should have been in place for some time.
" Enforcement officers will be doubled, with 14 more inspectors focused on dismantling underground sales. Inspectors have conducted 565 targeted retail inspections since July, seizing more than 3.2 million cigarettes and more than 600kg of other illicit tobacco products with an estimated value of over $3.
7 million. Dr Chant said the licensing scheme would show where the products were sold. She acknowledged quitting was hard but encouraged smokers to give up, including by calling Quitline or talking to a pharmacist or GP.
Taxes on tobacco were put in place to discourage consumptio.
