‘Toughest’ penalties under Victorian Labor’s ‘game changer’ tobacco licensing proposal

The legislation would make it easier for police to raid and seize illicit products from suspected retailers and create a new tobacco regulator with dedicated inspectors.

Victoria will have the harshest penalties for criminals in the ­illegal cigarette trade under a proposed “game changer” tobacco licensing scheme that will also bring the state in line with the rest of the country and crack down on organised crime.

Premier Jacinta Allan announced her government would establish a strict tobacco licensing scheme that increased police powers to raid and seize illegal products from suspected retailers as well as to create a tobacco regulator with dedicated inspectors.

Under the proposed laws, businesses found selling illegal tobacco would face fines of more than $1.7m, with individuals facing a $355,000 fine or up to 15 years’ jail.

Police in the specialist Taskforce Lunar have so far arrested 95 suspected offenders and have seized more than $37m worth of cash, vapes and illegal tobacco since March in their investigation of 116 fires at tobacco shops and restaurants.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan. Picture: Diego Fedele/NewsWire

Victoria was left as the only Australian jurisdiction without a tobacco licensing scheme after Queensland implemented one in September. 

Known associates and past history will play a factor on whether a licence is granted.

Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) boss Theo Foukkare described the proposed laws as a “game changer”.

“Up until now, anyone could sell tobacco in Victoria without a licence and not be held accountable for it, which we believe is a big contributing factor to the out-of-control tobacco turf war in Victoria,” Mr Foukkare said.