‘Put on notice’:Stark warning to retailers

Retailers have been “put on notice” amid a major tobacco crackdown in NSW, with retailers and wholesalers needing to apply for a tobacco license and pay an annual fee.

The new changes are slated to come into effect from July 1, with businesses expected to pay $1,100 annually.

Corporations caught selling tobacco without a license are set to face up to $220,000, while individuals could cop fines of $44,000 for breaching the legislation.

The NSW state government has also announced further tougher penalties for tobacco retailing.

Selling tobacco products to minors could cause corporations to be fined up to $110,000 for a first offence and $22,000 for subsequent offences, while individuals could be hit with first offence fines of up to $22,000, and $110,000 for subsequent offences.

Corporations could pay similar fines of up to $110,000 for selling products without the required packaging or mandatory health warnings, while individuals could face fines of up to $22,000.

Fines for impersonating or obstructing an inspector have also been doubled from $550 to $1100.

NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park said “retailers should be put on notice” in a stark warning amid the new reforms.

“The increased tobacco penalties reflect the seriousness of these offences,” Mr Park said.

“Retailers should be put on notice that if they are caught breaking tobacco retailing laws they will be penalised.”

As a father to a 14-year-old and 10-year-old, Mr Park said he’s aware of how widespread vaping, e-cigarette and illegal tobacco use issues are.

“I see it in my own community, I hear it in my own street … and of course I hear it from schools, principals and school teachers,” he said.

Mr Park said the new laws will help combat “the scourge of illicit tobacco sales across the state”.

“This is an issue that is important to parents, it’s an issue it’s important to community members, and to be blunt, it’s an issue that’s important to small business owners,” Mr Park said.

“They want to operate in a fair and regulated market where they know that they are competing with others who are doing the right thing.

“People will be will need to display their license to make sure that it’s very clear and visible.”

A technical support line will be set up to support the license application process, particularly to help ensure small businesses aren’t burdened by the changes.

Mr Park said he “make(s) no apology for cracking down on an issue that (he is) extremely concerned about”.

“I have said consistently that I think e-cigarettes and vaping is arguably one of the biggest public health issues our young people, especially, face” he said.

NSW Health inspectors have seized more than 3.2 million cigarettes and more than 600kg of other illicit tobacco products between September and July this year, with an estimated value of nearly $4m.

NSW Health chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said the new licensing and harshe penalties would help facilitate “more efficient and effective enforcement activity”.

“NSW Health supports a holistic approach to tobacco control, recognising reducing supply and access to illicit products is one component,” Mr Chant said.

“Operating a tobacco licensing scheme will ensure NSW Health has accurate, up-to-date information on tobacco retailing and wholesaling activities in NSW, facilitating more efficient and effective enforcement activity.”