NSW Health has closed more than 100 businesses over alleged infringements to smoking laws in less than six months since the laws came into effect. Photo: Karyn Starmer.
Bright yellow posters have been pinned to the doors of 30 stores across the state amid accusations of illegal activity – and that’s just in 10 days.
Under laws passed in November 2025, NSW Health (supported by NSW Police) can make short-term closure orders of up to 90 days for premises allegedly selling illicit tobacco, illegal vaping goods or tobacco without a licence.
In the less than six months since the laws came into effect, NSW Health inspectors have issued 105 short-term closure orders across the state.
Specific data on the location and reasoning behind closures can be found on NSW Health’s Tobacco Closure Orders Register.
One South Coast resident told Region they had seen the signs in their communities and believed there was an increasing presence of illegal nicotine on the coast.
They pointed to a suspicious blaze that gutted two businesses in an alleged arson attack last September, which drew speculation it was linked to a “turf war” over the illegal trade.
There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by either of the affected businesses.
NSW Health has said that the 105 short-term closures included 30 stores across parts of the state (such as Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Illawarra Shoalhaven and Western NSW) that were shut down immediately over the past 10 days.
They are set to stay closed for 90 days.
NSW Health inspectors also seized about 700,000 illicit cigarettes and 3900 illicit vapes from across those premises.
“Further investigations will follow and additional enforcement action, including prosecution, may take place,” a spokesperson warned.
The spokesperson said their “comprehensive compliance and enforcement program” included a variety of measures, including closing premises accused of selling illegal items.
“NSW Health actively enforces tobacco retailing legislation using an information and intelligence led risk-based approach to inform inspection activity and make the best use of available resources.
“This approach ensures that regulatory action is evidence-based and focused where it is most needed to protect the community.”
Meanwhile, NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said authorities remained committed to fighting the illegal trade.
“Despite the increase in the federal tobacco excise this week potentially bolstering the illicit market, we’re getting on with the job of cleaning up our communities and suburbs, doing our part to crack down on illicit tobacco,” he said.
Mr Park has warned authorities “will shut you [a business] down again” if they continue with illegal behaviour. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
“The recent closures should serve as a reminder for those people in the community who are doing the wrong thing that we are serious and they will be prosecuted.”
As part of its efforts to strengthen compliance of tobacco and vaping goods laws, the NSW Government has added 30 full-time equivalent tobacco inspectors.
It brings the team, covering the entire state, to 78 members.
As part of its reforms, the NSW Government also brought in a new offence (the possession of a commercial quantity of illicit tobacco) and new penalties for its sale.
Courts can issue a long-term closure order of up to one year if it is satisfied that illicit tobacco or illegal vaping goods have been or are likely to be sold.
This can also be made if tobacco or non-tobacco smoking products are sold or are likely to be sold without a licence.
“Now with the boost to the numbers of inspectors on the ground, our work to disrupt the supply of these products is only going to ramp up to continue protecting public health across NSW,” Mr Park said.
“Our inspectors actively monitor retailers and if we find that you are continuing to sell these illicit products after being served a closure order, we will shut you down again and you will face further penalties.”
If you suspect a business is doing the wrong thing, you can lodge complaints through the complaints portal on the NSW Health website. A full list of current tobacco closures can be found on the NSW Health website, which is updated each Friday after 3 pm and also contains the alleged reasons for the closure.
