Queensland Health’s massive illegal vape and tobacco bust revealed

Queensland Health has seized 45m illicit cigarettes, 350,000 vapes and six tonnes of loose tobacco since November. SEE A RAID

Health authorities are conducting record raids on tobacco stores across the state, with several chop shops ordered to shut for six months and more than $20m issued in fines.

Queensland Health has seized 45m illicit cigarettes, 350,000 vapes and six tonnes of loose tobacco since November.

In a state first last week, six “chop shops” were ordered to shut for six months, after successful prosecution through the Queensland courts.

Since November, another 116 interim closure orders have been issued for stores.

The LNP state government has undertaken record seizures in the past 10 months, as authorities warn they will continue to target criminal gangs to keep illicit tobacco and vapes out of the hands of Queensland children.

Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the government was committed to keeping dangerous illegal vapes out of the hands of Queensland children.

“These organised crime gangs set up shops across Queensland under the former Labor government, who chose to do nothing,” he said.

“We are committed to stopping this organised crime and, most importantly, keeping these dangerous products out of the reach of our kids.”

The government in April introduced on-the-spot fines of $161,300 for businesses and $32,260 for individuals caught selling and stocking illicit tobacco and vapes.

Nearly $13m was allocated in the health budget investment to hire an extra 43 public health personnel, boosting enforcement capacity by a quarter.

Originally published as Queensland Health’s massive illegal vape and tobacco bust revealed