Queensland Cracks Down on Illegal Tobacco and Vapes with Nation-Leading Laws
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The Queensland Government has introduced new laws aimed at stamping out illegal tobacco and vape sales, strengthening protections for communities and children.
Under the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products (Dismantling Illegal Trade) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, Queensland Health authorities will now have the power to shut down illegal businesses on-the-spot for three months, a significant increase from the previous 72-hour closure period, while courts can close businesses for up to 12 months (Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, 2025).
Landlords Held Accountable
The reforms give landlords new powers to terminate leases with illegal operators, while landlords who knowingly allow illegal activity could face fines of up to $161,300 or one year in jail (Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, 2025). Queensland Health officers are also empowered to conduct undercover operations targeting illicit tobacco and vape traders (Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, 2025).
Protecting Children and Communities
Health Minister Tim Nicholls highlighted the importance of these laws in protecting young people from criminal networks selling illegal cigarettes, ‘chop chop’, vapes, and nicotine pouches.
“Organised criminals were allowed to operate unchecked, putting our kids at risk,” Minister Nicholls said. “These nation-leading laws give authorities the tools they need to hit illegal sellers harder and keep our children safe” (Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, 2025).
Since November 2024, Queensland Health has seized over 420,000 illegal vapes, 52.4 million illicit cigarettes, and 7,500 kilograms of loose tobacco, issuing more than 140 interim closure orders and over 3,000 fines (Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, 2025).
Industry and Health Support
The reforms have been welcomed by industry and health organisations. Angus Nardi, CEO of the Shopping Centre Council of Australia, praised the laws for providing landlords with clear backing to terminate leases linked to illicit sales (Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, 2025).
Similarly, Matt Gardiner, CEO of Cancer Council Queensland, highlighted the public health benefits:
“These reforms safeguard decades of progress in tobacco control and help protect Queensland communities from the harms of tobacco and vaping products” (Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, 2025).
Strongest Laws in the Nation
For Queensland, these new measures represent the nation’s strongest approach to tackling illegal tobacco and vape sales, sending a clear message to criminal networks that their operations will no longer be tolerated (Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, 2025).