Illicit tobacco and vape products have been seized and unlicensed stores closed in raids across the Whitsundays at the weekend.
The Mackay Public Health Unit (MPHU), a division of Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS), has confirmed that eight tobacconists were forced to close for 72 hours after raids found seven premises didn’t have a retail tobacco licence and were found selling illicit tobacco and vapes.
Entry powers were enacted and searches executed with the presence of the Queensland Police Service on two tobacco stores in Bowen, one in Proserpine, two in Cannonvale and three in Airlie Beach.
Under strict new laws, the stores were ordered to close for 72 hours and contraband including nicotine vapes, illicit tobacco (known as chop chop) and illegally imported cigarettes were seized. Other contraband found in the raids included vape liquid refills, ice pipes and bongs.
Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) public health spokesperson said these raids in the Whitsundays were focussed on unlicensed retail operations but that a small amount of product was also seized.
Under new legislation which came into force earlier this year, Queensland authorities can now enforce an on-the-spot 72-hour closure on premises where operators are found to be repeat offenders of selling illicit products and/or operating without a smoking product licence.
Penalties have also increased, with retailers facing up to two years' imprisonment or hundreds of thousands of dollars in Penalty Infringement Notices (PIN) if they are found to be working in a store supplying smoking products during the closure order period.
“This sends another clear message that premises without a retail tobacco license and illegal tobacco sales will not be tolerated in the community,” the spokesperson said.
“Our authorised officers will continue to be vigilant to ensure retailers of smoking products comply with the law.”
In addition to the eight closure orders issued, Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) under the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act and investigations leading to enforcement action will continue.
Illegal product seized this weekend in the Whitsundays included:
- Loose tobacco (chop chop) – 4.5kg
- Illegal vapes – 167
- Illegal cigarettes/tobacco sticks – 20,460
- Bongs – 17
- Ice pipes – 3
- Nicotine pouches - 60
There had previously been 46 compliance inspections completed across the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac region in the last 12 months, with nine stores forced to close for 72 hours since new closure powers came into effect.
In addition, other illegal product seized in the last 12 months in the region includes:
- Illegal cigarettes – 3,720,318
- Tobacco sticks - 38,578 sticks
- Loose tobacco – 396,942
- Vapes – 25,883
- Nicotine products – 24,490
- Bongs – 2,131