The Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service (WBHHS) Public Health unit has enforced new Queensland tobacco laws for the first time shutting down three unlicensed tobacconists who were found selling illicit tobacco and vapes.
With the assistance of QPS, over two days the team seized over a million dollars of contraband, including over 500kg illicit tobacco and thousands of vapes from stores across Bundaberg.
WBHHS Public Health team on Tuesday imposed strict new interim closure powers which were to close these unlicensed businesses for three days for supplying illegal products.
Businesses that are unlicensed and/or that contravene the bans on supply of illicit tobacco and vape products can also face longer closures of up to six months as well as significant fines.
Wide Bay Public Health Unit’s Director of Environmental Health Wayne Ingall said the raids were a product of significant planning, after the introduction of the rollout of the powers.
“This action is part of a broader commitment to protecting community health by cracking down on illegal tobacco sales and ensuring compliance with stricter regulations,” he said.
“We know tobacco in all forms is incredibly harmful to the health of our community, which is why it’s so heavily regulated. When it’s sold as loose tobacco or ‘chop chop’ and homemade cigarettes, we don’t have any oversight about how it’s manufactured or what’s in it.
“Illicit smoking and vaping products undermine important public health measures including plain packaging, health warnings and, in the case of nicotine vapes, the requirement for a prescription.”
Under the new legislation, not only are store owners penalized for doing the wrong thing but employees can face penalties of up to $32,260 if they are found to be working in a store supplying smoking products during the period the closure order is in effect.
WBHHS Chief Executive Debbie Carroll said she was proud to be leading the state in carrying out closure notices.
“The enforcement of these new laws sends a clear message that illegal tobacco sales will not be tolerated in our community,” she said.
“Smoking is a leading cause of preventable illness worldwide, contributing to health problems such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, and stroke.
“The burden of smoking-related illnesses places significant strain on healthcare services, with increased demand for treatments, surgeries, and long-term care for affected community members.”
Wide Bay Public Health Unit’s Environmental Health team works closely with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and Queensland Police Service (QPS) to enforce the state’s tobacco laws.
