The NSW government says it’s continuing to strengthen compliance and enforcement of tobacco and vaping goods laws across NSW, with the Public Health (Tobacco) Amendment (Landlord Offences) Bill 2025 passing in Parliament this week.

The legislation, which will commence on proclamation, will create an offence for commercial lessors who knowingly permit premises to be used by tenants to sell illicit tobacco and illegal vapes, forming an important part of the government’s broader strengthening of tobacco laws. 

The new offence carries a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment, a fine of $165,000, or both. It’s intended to target landlords who are aware of tenants selling illicit tobacco and vaping goods from their premises and knowingly permit this illicit activity to continue, without taking steps to report or evict the tenant. 

“Landlords who intentionally allow tenants to sell illicit tobacco and illegal vapes are not only undermining legitimate business operations, but they’re exposing their community to associated criminal activities,” says NSW Minister for Health Ryan Park.

“This legislation builds on our extensive efforts to crack down on illegal tobacco and vapes across the state, and with a bolstered workforce, we’re prepared to tackle this problem head on.

“We’re sending a clear message to those people, including landlords, who are doing the wrong thing – sooner or later, we will come for you.”