Tough illicit tobacco laws pass lower house

Mark Speakman
NSW Leader of the Opposition

Alister Henskens
Shadow Attorney General

Kellie Sloane
Shadow Minister for Health

Gurmesh Singh
Shadow Minister for Regional Health

Tough illicit tobacco laws, first proposed by the Coalition in June, have yesterday passed the NSW Lower House.
 
These new laws will crack down on the dodgy tobacconists popping up on every high street in NSW. New powers will allow NSW Health to close stores found selling illicit tobacco for up to 90 days, or 12 months with a court order. Penalties for the sale and possession of commercial quantities of illicit tobacco will see people face up to 7 years imprisonment or a $1.5 million fine.
 
Leader of the Opposition, Mark Speakman welcomed the Government supporting the Coalition’s proposals to crack down on illicit tobacco and organised crime.
 
“Organised crime gangs cannot run NSW. These laws will shut down their illegal tobacco stores, cut off a money stream that funds their illegal activities and put them behind bars.”
“With the passage of these new laws, the job now falls to the Government to ensure they are enforced. The community expects nothing less than to start seeing these stores closed down,” said Mr Speakman.
 
Shadow Attorney General Alister Henskens said these laws will better protect communities across NSW from harmful tobacco and organised crime on our streets.
 
“Every community across NSW has seen a rise in illegal tobacco stores on their street corners. Chris Minns’ Government has allowed organised crime to establish a presence in our local communities.”
 
Shadow Health Minister Kellie Sloane said the passage of these laws sent a clear message to criminals engaged in the illicit tobacco trade, and they will help protect young people against the harms of tobacco and vaping.
 
“These stores trade in addiction. They target kids with cheap, dangerous products, and the result is more lives lost, and more hospital beds filled.”
“Passing laws is only the beginning. The real test will be whether the Government backs this up with ongoing enforcement and a broader health plan to reduce smoking rates.”
 
Shadow Minister for Regional Health, Gurmesh Singh said regional NSW was facing the brunt of criminals fighting for control of the illegal tobacco trade.
 
“Regional communities throughout NSW are seeing these stores pop up every day and fear the violence that comes along with them like firebombings and intimidation.”
“It is time to see these stores closed and the criminals face harsh penalties and that is what these tough new laws will do.”