Jail, $300k fines: Crackdown on dodgy Qld traders who sell illegal vapes
Dodgy vaping store operators face two years jail and a fine of over $300,000 for selling illicit nicotine products under tough new legislation to be introduced to Queensland Parliament.
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Dodgy vaping store operators face two years jail and a fine of over $300,000 for selling illicit nicotine products under tough new legislation to be introduced to Queensland Parliament on Wednesday.
As Health Minister Shannon Fentiman reports that 12 suspect vaping stores open in the state every month, Queensland Health-lead enforcement agencies are ready to come down hard on suppliers, wholesalers, business owners and store staff members who break the law.
The Tobacco and Other Smoking Products (Vaping) and Other Legislation
Amendment Bill 2024 aims to tackle the epidemic of illicit vaping products and prevent young people from being targeted by the industry.
Almost 20m cigarettes, eight tonnes of loose tobacco and 171,000 nicotine vapes
were seized between July 2023 and March 2024.
Businesses caught in possession of illicit nicotine products will face fines of up to
$154,800 and one year imprisonment. A staff member caught supplying illicit nicotine products risk fines of up to $21,672.
And there will be tougher penalties for providing false or misleading information or failing to
provide information about an offence. These penalties will double from $7740 to $15,480.
Illicit tobacco, including “chop chop” penalties, will now be just as severe as
those for vapes — up to $309,600 and/or two years’ imprisonment.
“We know that research has found an average of 12 new suspect tobacco and vape
stores open every month in Queensland. And with flavours such as fairy floss and cola – it’s clear these products are aimed at luring our children towards vaping,” Ms Fentiman said.
“I’m proud that Queensland has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to illicit tobacco
and nicotine. Our government is tackling this illegal trade head-on and our laws will go a long way in keeping these dangerous products out of the hands of our children,” she said.
The Bill will give authorities the power to act swiftly and order immediate closures of
illegal vape stores for up to 72 hours and magistrates will be able to extend closure for up to six months. District Court will be able to grant an injunction against a person who supplies
illicit tobacco or illicit nicotine products and there will be a ban on advertising with fines of up to $21,672.
The new legislation also clarifies that commercial possession includes locations beyond the premises of the business, such as storage sheds and vehicles. It also makes it clear that
adults must not supply an illicit nicotine product to a child, including in a non-
commercial setting such as an adult supplying a vaping product to a family member
who is under 18.
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