Significant progress has been made in the crack down on illegal tobacco and vapes in South Australia. Since July 1st, authorities have seized nearly $300,000 worth of the banned products.
As of July 1st, the Consumer and Business Services (CBS) agency took over the responsibility for regulating tobacco and vapes from SA Health. The Malinauskas Government has invested $16 million to set up a new taskforce within CBS which has allowed for more inspections and raids to remove illegal products from the state’s streets.
So far, officials have conducted over 200 inspections and raids, working with the Australian Border Force and acting on hundreds of public tip-offs. The total amount of seized items includes:
- 153,213 cigarettes
- 6,397 cigarette packets
- 23 kg of loose or pouch tobacco
- 177 kg of total tobacco by weight
- 135 kg of shisha
- 3,495 vapes
The State Government recently proposed new legislation to Parliament that would impose tougher penalties of up to $1.5 million for the sale and use of illegal tobacco and vapes. If the legislation is passed, SA would have the strictest penalties in the country.
“The Malinauskas Government is serious about protecting our community, particularly our children, from illicit tobacco and vapes,” Andrea Michaels , Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, says.
“The rise in vape use amongst young people is incredibly concerning and we are acting decisively to get these dangerous products off the streets.
“I encourage people to continue to report illegal dealers through to us.”
Raids are ongoing, and the public is encouraged to report any illegal tobacco and vape dealers to Consumer and Business Services via www.cbs.sa.gov.au/tobacco.
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