Suburbs with the most fines for illicit products at tobacconists revealed

The worst suburbs for illegal tobacco operations have been revealed as new figures show more than 800 fines have been dished out in the past ten months. SEARCH THE TABLE

Generic photo of cigarettes. Opened pack full of cigarettes close-up Picture: iStock

The worst suburbs for illegal tobacco operations have been revealed as new figures show more than 800 fines have been dished out in less than a year.

Data from Queensland Health shows between July 1 2024 to April 30 2025 just 243 businesses have been handed out 819 penalty infringement notices (PINs) for the supply and possession of illicit product – with a value of more than $10.7 million.

The new figures show the worst suburbs for fines were Southport with 17 infringements, West End with 15 and Biloela, Bundaberg Central and Maryborough all with 12.

It comes after a special investigation by the Courier Mail revealed 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.

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.”

Ms Wright said she constantly sees illicit businesses opening up.

“We’ve still got them opening here. They’re opening everywhere. We can’t compete,” she said.

“It’s very frustrating because these guys just keep trading and they just change their names and change their directors, or change the directors with the same name.

“And any legal tobacconist trying to do the right thing is just going down the tube.”

Changes to the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation 2025 include businesses facing fines of up to $161,300.

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.

He said the government was concerned about ongoing fire bombing and attacks on shop owners, but insisted police were receiving the resources they needed including extra patrols to monitor tobacco outlets.

“It’s a concerning escalation in relation to organised criminal activity around tobacco shops (but) we don’t want to see it escalate any further in Queensland,’’ Mr Purdie said.

“I had a briefing recently from Taskforce Masher. I want to acknowledge the important work they are doing.

“We’ll continue to work with the police to make sure they’ve got the resources and tools to do (their job), whether it’s youth crime or organised crime.

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.

“We are determined to keep dangerous vapes out of the hands of children by hitting illegal traders where it hurts, and slapping them with the toughest fines in the country,” he said.

“The Crisafulli Government has already seized millions of tobacco and vaping products across Queensland, and we will continue to target these rogue traders to keep our kids safe.”

Originally published as Suburbs with the most fines for illicit products at tobacconists revealed