Two CBD convenience stores have been closed over allegations of illicit tobacco and e-cigarette sales

The closures come after the state government’s crackdown on stores engaging in illegal trade practices.

Two CBD convenience stores have been slapped with short term closure orders after allegedly selling illegal products on the premises.

Rundle East Convenience and Rundle City Convenience, both located on Rundle Street, have been served a closure notice and are prohibited from trading for 28 days by the Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, Andrea Michaels.

Two convenience stores on Rundle Street have been slapped with store closure notices that would last up to 28 days. Picture: Jessica Renaglia

The convenience stores have been closed with Section 69CBA of the Tobacco and E-Cigarette Products Act 1997, with large signs pasted on the store front doors along the busy street.

The sign reads, “The whole of the premises at 240 Rundle Street, ADELAIDE trading as Rundle East Convenience Store is by force of this notice closed for 28 days”

“It is PROHIBITED for any person to sell or supply tobacco products, e-cigarette products or prohibited products at the premises, carry on a business or selling tobacco products, e-cigarette products or prohibited products at the premises or to be on the present on premises, without an exemption notice, during this period.”.

Customers were unaware that the store was closed this week. Picture: Jessica Renaglia

This comes after the state government imposed stricter crackdowns for illicit tobacco and vape trade, which soared amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Closure orders from a Minister can last up to 72 hours, or can last up to 6 months.

A maximum penalty for violating orders can go up to $1.1 million for a body corporate and an individual up to $700,000.

According to the Statutes Amendment Bill 2025, a short term closure is imposed is the Minister suspects “tobacco products or e-cigarette products are being, or are

likely to be, unlawfully sold or supplied at the premises as part of a business being carried on at the premises.”

The short term closure is expected to lift next month. Picture: Jessica Renaglia

In May, dozens of illicit tobacco stores were also closed and $23m in tobacco, vapes, and six tonnes of leaf were seized by authorities.

More than 500 raids, in partnership with SA Police and other agencies, were conducted and 17.2m cigarettes were seized, which is the equivalent of 9.5 cigarettes for every South Australian resident.

More than 105,000 vapes were also seized along with two 2.3m cigarette tubes, 834 nicotine pouches and six tonnes of loose tobacco.

The government’s new closure powers came into effect in December last year, and have conducted more than 400 raids since last year.

The Rundle East Convenience and Rundle City Convenience are set to reopen next month if the closure lifts.

Originally published as Two CBD convenience stores have been closed over allegations of illicit tobacco and e-cigarette sales