The New South Wales State Government has unveiled new legislative reforms to introduce tobacco-selling licenses and crack down on illegal tobacco and vapes, catching up with the rest of Australia.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park will introduce reforms to Parliament on Thursday, including doubling penalties for selling illegal tobacco.
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“Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of death and premature death in New South Wales. It’s actually associated with an increased risk of respiratory and cardiovascular disease and of course cancer,” Park said.
Under new reforms, vendors must have a license to sell legal tobacco and pay an annual fee. Penalties for selling without a licence will increase to $44,000 for individuals and $220,000 for individuals.
Fines for selling illegal tobacco will double to $22,000 for individuals and $110,000 for corporations.
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Park said that while this won’t solve “every problem overnight,” it is one of the most significant reforms in over a decade.
New South Wales is the last state to introduce licensing regimes for tobacco selling. Victoria introduced plans earlier this year, with plans commencing at the end of 2024.
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