Eight shops in Tamworth and Gunnedah have been shut down for 90 days after a raid that netted more than 250,000 illicit cigarettes and almost 3,000 illegal vapes.
Six of the shops are in Tamworth, five in Peel Street and one in Brisbane Street. The other two are in Conadilly Street, Gunnedah.
NSW Health inspectors, backed by NSW Police, served the closure orders on Tuesday, 29 September.
Along with the cigarettes, they seized 51kg of loose-leaf tobacco, 2,900 illicit vapes, and 2,500 other illicit nicotine products.
Further investigations will follow, and more enforcement action, including prosecution, may be taken.
“The operation in Tamworth and Gunnedah is a great example of our enforcement efforts to disrupt the supply of unlawful tobacco and vaping products, to protect public health,” said NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant.
Closure orders can be issued to shops that sell illicit tobacco or vapes, or that sell tobacco or other smoking products without a licence.
NSW Health and NSW Police monitor shops while a closure order is in place. If a shop breaches the order, it can face further closure orders and prosecution.
“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 enforcement action,” said Minister for Health Ryan Park.
As of Friday, 25 September, NSW Health inspectors had issued 475 short-term closure orders across the state since the new powers came into effect in November 2025. Of those, 146 were in force at that date.
Landlords are also in the firing line. Since 1 July, it has been an offence under the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2008 for a commercial landlord to knowingly allow their premises to be used to sell illicit tobacco or vapes.
Landlords can end a retail shop lease if the premises is hit with a closure order, by giving the tenant at least 28 days’ notice. They are encouraged to get their own legal advice.
Minister Park blamed the federal tobacco excise for driving people to the black market.
“It’s clear that the federal tobacco excise is at such a rate that people are turning to illegal tobacco with illegal tobacconists flourishing in our suburbs and communities,” he said.
“So long as the excise continues to remain high, the black market will continue, and we will have to keep playing whack-a-mole with bad actors.”
Under NSW law, illegal tobacco offences can now attract prison sentences of up to seven years and fines of more than $1.5 million. A tobacco licensing scheme is also in place.
“Illicit tobacco and vaping products pose real risks to the community, and those who choose to sell them should expect firm enforcement,” said NSW Police Criminal Organisations Director Detective Chief Superintendent Grant Taylor.
“These closures send a clear message to those seeking to profit from illicit tobacco and vaping products.”
“Through joint operations with NSW Health, we are not only shutting down non-compliant retailers – we are also removing the illicit products, cash and all the assets that underpin this criminal activity.”
Dr Chant urged people who need help to quit smoking or vaping to talk to their GP or pharmacist, or call the NSW Quitline on 13 78 48.
“Quitting smoking remains one of the most beneficial things an individual can do to improve their health,” Dr Chant said.
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