NSW Health Inspectors have now issued 105 short‑term closure orders since new tobacco and vaping control laws began in November 2025. The surge includes 30 stores shut down in the past 10 days across multiple regions, including Hunter New England.
Under the strengthened laws, NSW Health can order premises to close for up to 90 days if they are caught selling illicit tobacco, illegal vaping products, or selling tobacco without a licence. Inspectors seized about 700,000 illicit cigarettes and 3,900 vapes while issuing the latest orders.
NSW Health confirmed a retailer in Rutherford was shut down for the second time in mid‑February after breaching an existing closure order. Long‑term closure orders of up to one year can also be imposed by a court if illegal sales are proven or considered likely.
Additional reforms include new offences carrying penalties of more than $1.5 million and up to seven years’ jail for the possession or sale of commercial quantities of illicit tobacco. Inspectors now have expanded powers, and the Government has increased frontline staffing with an additional 30 full‑time officers, bringing the statewide team to 78.
Health Minister Ryan Park said recent closures should act as a warning, adding the Government will continue cracking down on retailers ignoring the law despite rising tobacco excise costs.
“Now with the boost to the numbers of Inspectors on the ground, our work to disrupt the supply of these products is only going to ramp up to continuing protect public health across NSW,” he said.
“Our Inspectors actively monitor retailers, and if we find that you are continuing to sell these illicit products after being served a closure order, we will shut you down again and you will face further penalties.
“Despite the increase in the federal tobacco excise this week potentially bolstering the illicit market, we’re getting on with the job of cleaning up our communities and suburbs, doing our part to crack down on illicit tobacco.”
