North Queensland tobacconists in Townsville Magistrates Court for alleged illegal vape sales
A trio of tobacconists in Townsville have had their alleged offences progress in court after being charged with possessing and selling hazardous poisons.
Townsville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Health authorities are clamping down on the sale of disposable vapes with a trio of tobacconists in North Queensland facing court this week after being charged with possessing and supplying illegal nicotine vapes.
Queensland Health confirmed they had lodged complaints against Tazy Tobacconist (Babylonian Pty Ltd), Kirwan Tobacconist (Australian Tobacco Station Pty Ltd) and Townsville Tobacconist (Safi Group Pty Ltd) in April last year.
Each company has been charged with buying or possessing S4 or S8 medicines or hazardous poisons and supplying medicines and hazardous poisons.
No pleas have been entered.
Earlier this week in Townsville Magistrates Court, a lawyer appeared via phone on behalf of the state department and asked to adjourn all of the businesses charges to another date.
Defence lawyer Andrew Robinson from Salt Legal appeared on behalf of Australian Tobacco Station and said he needed to obtain further instructions from the director of the company who wasn’t present in court.
On behalf of Safi Group, Mark Zeller from Indigo Law appeared and asked for an adjournment, also to get further instructions.
Magistrate Susan Warrington adjourned all charges to April 30.
The charges were mentioned only a day before the state government introduced new, increased on-the-spot fines up to $161,300 for illicit tobacco and vape operators.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls said changes to the fines were made to protect Queensland children and take away the financial incentive for illegal sales.
The whopping ten-fold penalty increase comes after Mr Nicholls said in January that the government was investigating more extreme measures to interrupt supply chains with the previous $3226 fines for individuals and $16,130 for companies not deterring operators.
More Coverage
Originally published as North Queensland tobacconists in Townsville Magistrates Court for alleged illegal vape sales
‘I’ll see you later’: Tradie threatens, assaults cop outside kebab shop
A construction worker who threatened to “rip” a taxi driver’s “jaw off” and later assaulted Night Owl staff in drunken rampages has been told he needs to seek help for his alcohol problem.
12 months on: City under a dark cloud with no end in sight to Thompson debacle
One year on from the swearing in of now suspended Mayor Troy Thompson, Townsville City Council have said their focus for the next 12 months is “a united front” to deliver for the people of Townsville.