NSW Budget: Minns government funds $2.4m for anti-vaping app amid tobacco wars

The only money set aside to tackle illegal tobacco in this year’s budget will go towards an anti-vaping app, as the Minns government fails to defend accusations its gone soft on the tobacco wars.

The only money allocated to tackle illegal tobacco in this year’s state budget will go towards an anti-vaping app despite an explosion in the black market, as the Minns government comes under fire over tobacco wars.

Just $2.4 million has been set aside this year in the budget to maintain the government’s “Pave” app, a platform designed to help young people quit vaping.

According to the government, a further $48.5m has been buried in the budget over the next five years to double the number of health inspectors and roll out a new tobacco licensing scheme.

But opposition health spokeswoman Kellie Sloane said the minimal funding proved NSW is the “weak link” as other states strengthen penalties to crush black market operators.

“Chris Minns and Labor have no plan to tackle illegal cigarettes and vapes in NSW. New dodgy tobacco shops are popping up on our main streets every day, raking in record profits for organised crime and risking a new generation getting hooked on smoking,” Ms Sloane said.

Opposition health spokeswoman Kellie Sloane. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

“Investment in educational tools for young people trying to give up vaping or smoking is vitally important, but the government also needs to be cutting off the supply of illegal cigarettes and vapes.

“We have seen every other state on the east coast introduce stronger penalties and enforcement for illegal tobacco, but Chris Minns has left NSW as the weak link.”

CCTV Screenshot of a shooting at an Auburn kebab shop where three people were left seriously injured over an alleged tobacco “rip”.

Nearly $35m was allocated in last year’s budget for anti-tobacco programs and initiatives, including a $2.5m investment from Cancer Institute NSW to set up the Pave app and to improve the iCanQuit platform.

The drop off in funding comes as the number of businesses registered to sell tobacco explodes across the state, growing from 15,000 to 20,000 in the last five years.

Health Minister Ryan Park said the former Liberal government was to blame for the state’s growing black market.

“All I’m hearing from the Liberals is shoulda, woulda, coulda. They had their turn and they let illegal tobacco and vaping run rampant in this state, with a mere seven tobacco inspectors and no tobacco licensing scheme,” Mr Park said.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

“The NSW Budget contains $48.5 million, over five years, towards countering illegal tobacco and vapes for a range of measures including recruiting 14 additional inspectors, implementing a tobacco licensing scheme, and supporting an app to support people to quit smoking and vaping.”

The new tobacco licensing scheme will require all tobacco retailers and wholesalers to have a license to sell products by October 1 or risk up six-figure penalties.