The “toughest penalties in the country” are coming for the illegal tobacco trade in Victoria and the criminals who profit from it.
Introduced this week, the Tobacco Amendment (Tobacco Retailer and Wholesaler Licensing Scheme) Bill 2024 will create a strict new licensing scheme, putting more boots on the ground and providing more powers to crack down on illicit tobacco and organised crime in the state.
The Bill builds on the work of Victoria Police’s Taskforce Lunar, which has already seen more than 80 offenders arrested and $37 million worth of cash, vapes and illegal tobacco products seized.
Strict new licensing regime
The Bill will establish a tobacco business licensing scheme – so tobacco can only be sold by licensed retailers.
A licence is only available for fit and proper persons who pass a strict test, and you can be refused a licence based on your history and known associates.
This will help protect legitimate business from getting undercut from criminal syndicates and ban those who have criminal affiliations from having anything to do with this trade.
“This strict licensing scheme will establish a dedicated tobacco regulator to help ensure all businesses are operating within the law,” said Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Melissa Horne.
The regulator will administer the licensing scheme and will be responsible for enforcement and compliance of licences. This includes the power to search shops, suspend licences, and seize illegal items.
Toughest penalties in Australia
The Bill introduces massive consequences for breaking the law.
Any person found to be selling illicit tobacco will face fines of more than $355,000 or up to 15 years in jail, while businesses will face fines of more than $1.7 million.
“We’re implementing the toughest laws anywhere in the country to smoke out the illegal tobacco trade and keep Victorians safe,” said Premier Jacinta Allan.
Tougher penalties will come into effect immediately when the Act commences. The roll out of the new licensing scheme will start from the middle of next year.
Victoria Police’s search powers will be beefed up to make it easier and quicker to raid, search and seize illicit products from a retailer suspected of having links to organised crime. Police will also play a key role in ensuring the suitability of licensees under the scheme, and there will also be powers to impose further licence conditions.