Explained: Everything we know about Qld’s war on illegal tobacco
“The black market is thriving.” One industry expert has summed up Qld’s battle against illegal tobacco. WHAT WE KNOW
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“The black market is thriving.”
One industry expert has summed up Queensland’s battle against illegal tobacco and nicotine products being sold in retail outlets.
As the state wrestles the deeply concerning and growing trend, the issue has been laid bare.
“The sale of these illicit goods is not only fuelling organised crime but also undermining legitimate businesses, exposing consumers to serious health risks and eroding community safety,” the anonymous industry expert said.
“The reality is stark. Governments and regulators no longer control this market. Organised crime does.”
This is everything we know about Qld’s war against illegal tobacco >>>
Why has this become a problem?
Law enforcement figures around Australia have said the high federal government excise on tobacco has created a lucrative black market that syndicates are trying to exploit.
Illicit tobacco can be purchased for as low as $9-15, compared to more than $40 for a pack of “legitimate” cigarettes.
Fatal shootings have been linked to tobacco wars interstate, including the murder of underworld figure and pro boxer Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim.
What are the “tobacco wars”?
Rival organised crime gangs waging a tobacco turf war in Brisbane and its surrounding suburbs were in October 2024 fuelling fears the state could soon see scenes reminiscent of the violent and prevalent attacks in Melbourne.
Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said the service had a “specified interest” in targeting crimes linked to tobacco stores and was already making arrests.
Sources said the attacks were fuelled by rival organised crime groups who were fighting a tobacconist turf war, extorting owners for money to ensure their protection from attack.
What are the statistics saying?
At least one Queensland tobacconist a day is caught selling illegal products as experts raise alarm bells over concerns that organised crime syndicates have taken over the industry.
A Courier-Mail investigation revealed 367 shops have been caught selling illegal cigarettes, vapes or tobacco pouches from May 2024 to May 2025, meaning an average of more than one tobacconist each day was busted selling illegal products.
Since the introduction of Task Force Masher in September 2024 more than 121 interim closure orders have been issued across the state.
Between July 1 2024 and May 31 2025, 940 penalty infringement notices have been issued for supply and possession of illicit products with a value of more than $17.6 million.
Between July 2024 and the end of February 2025, more than 1215 inspections of stores were conducted on stores suspected of selling illicit tobacco products and vapes.
Enforcement officers seized more than 15 million illicit infringements over this time, cigarettes, 3.4 tonnes of loose tobacco and 170,000 vapes.
Compliance officers in Queensland Health also issued 1901 penalty infringement notices to businesses for noncompliance.
Where are the worst areas?
Damning data, which was collected in police intelligence reports and undertaken by undercover agents, revealed Surfers Paradise was the state’s illicit tobacco capital.
The region, which had an astounding 29 retailers, was followed by Fortitude Valley with 14 and West End with 8.
Earlier in June 2025 new figures showed Southport, West End, Biloela, Bundaberg Central and Maryborough all had poor rates.
What stores have been busted?
In June 2025 the full list of locations caught selling illegal tobacco for the previous year was listed.
See every store in our interactive search bar below >>>
What is the bigger picture?
It was revealed in April 2025 transnational and interstate criminal syndicates are standing over Queensland tobacconists, forcing them to pay “protection”, close up, or sell illicit cigarettes against the threat of having their shops burnt down.
Gang prospects or low level subordinates stood over shops in some instances asking for “protection money”, sometimes asking them to sell illicit cigarettes produced in factories overseas.
What has the industry said?
Australian Association of Convenience Stores chief executive Theo Foukkare said the group had been warning the governments for years about illegal tobacco and illegal vape trade, which started in Victoria would spread to other states.
”Unfortunately, the proceeds from both illegal tobacco and vapes, that goes back to whichever groups are running it actually is used to fund drugs that they sell to children,” he said.
“It’s used to import weapons and use them that are used in crimes in the community, like it’s all linked together.
“That’s the most disheartening thing that most people that are buying these illegal products, they don’t actually understand that by supporting these illegal products, you’re actually supporting people that are creating havoc in the communities.
He said increasingly more businesses were starting to sell illicit substances.
“If we think that we’re not going to see fire, more firebombs, more violent attacks and more RAM raids of these illegal stores in Queensland we’re kidding ourselves,” he said.
“Because they started in Melbourne. They’re now happening in South Australia. They’re happening everywhere.”
What have police said?
Detective Acting Inspector Adam Bennett said the crime involved in tobacco shops was concerning.
“Organised crime is quite complex. It’s resilient and it’s enduring,” he said.
“So we need to take a different approach and a targeted approach, but also a national and a joint cognitive approach too
“So that’s where Task Force Masher comes in. They co-ordinate, and they’ve got specialist detectives in that space to look at that field.”
Police Minister Dan Purdie said the government planned to bring in tougher laws to target landlords who knew their premises were being used to sell illegal vapes and tobacco products.
Changes to the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation 2025 include businesses facing fines of up to $161,300.
Drug and Serious Group Detective Superintendent David Briese in April 2025 said there had been 16 arson attacks of Queensland tobacconists since January 2024.
Former cop and Bond University criminologist Professor Terry Goldsworthy said the state should learn from Victoria – and quickly.
What has Qld Health said?
A Queensland Health spokesman said they take a zero-tolerance approach to the supply of illegal vaping and tobacco products.
“Queensland Health’s public health enforcement officers, in conjunction with local and federal authorities, are increasingly cracking down on the supply and possession of illicit tobacco and vaping products backed by strict laws,” he said.
“They are doing this to combat the black-market trade, often linked to organised crime, and ultimately protecting public health.”
Queensland Health and Ambulance Services Minister Tim Nicholls said the former government failed to act and allowed these organised crime gangs to set up illegal chop shops in plain sight on street corners right across Queensland.
On June 19, 2025 Queensland Health asked a court to shut down six Hervey Bay tobacco stores for six months.
What have tobacco shops said?
North Queensland tobacco shop owner Pamela Wright said as a legitimate seller it was frustrating seeing people sell illicit products and every week it was getting worse.
“It’s so deflating. I’ve been fighting this for a really long time,” she said.
“It’s organised crime. They’re not nice people.
“You see it in Brisbane all the time, legal tobacconists to keep their doors open so that they can pay their rent go to the dark side because they have legal commitments.
“They’ve got no choice.”
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