Australian states tighten crackdown on illicit tobacco trade

Victoria is set to introduce some of the toughest penalties in Australia for the illicit tobacco market. New legislation would allow Tobacco Licensing Victoria and police to issue temporary closure notices of up to 90 days, with courts able to order longer‑term shutdowns. Businesses breaching orders could face fines exceeding $2.4 million and up to 20 years imprisonment, while landlords may terminate leases and property owners could be penalised for allowing illegal sales. The state budget allocates $13.4 million to expand the inspectorate and $46 million overall for the tobacco licensing regime.

In South Australia, a joint federal‑state package provides $3 million to boost enforcement of illicit tobacco and e‑cigarette laws. The funding will expand the capacity of Consumer and Business Services to conduct inspections, seize products and enforce closure orders. From July 2024 to May 2026, CBS logged 923 inspections and 277 closure orders. South Australia, the only state to ban online tobacco sales, has already granted landlords the right to end leases and introduced the nation’s highest financial penalties for illicit trade.