Thirty additional full-time equivalent tobacco inspectors are being recruited to strengthen NSW Health’s newly established Centre for Regulation & Enforcement, following additional funding from the Commonwealth Government.
The new inspectors will bring the dedicated statewide team to 78 staff. More than half of the additional recruits have commenced or are about to commence, with the remainder currently being hired.
The expansion comes as state and federal governments continue discussions about the impact of high federal tobacco excise, which authorities say is pushing some consumers towards cheaper illicit tobacco products.
Under NSW’s tougher tobacco and vaping laws, NSW Health inspectors, working alongside NSW Police, have continued to close stores selling illegal products. Five tobacconists in Sydney’s Inner West were shut down last week, taking the total number of closures to 66 since the laws took effect in November 2025.
Enforcement activity has accelerated this year. Between 1 January and 31 January 2026, inspectors carried out 131 inspections, seizing about 560,000 cigarettes, 98 kilograms of other illicit tobacco products, and more than 6,000 illegal vaping goods. The combined estimated street value of the seized items was around $830,000.
Enforcement activity has accelerated this year. Between 1 January and 31 January 2026, inspectors carried out 131 inspections, seizing about 560,000 cigarettes, 98 kilograms of other illicit tobacco products, and more than 6,000 illegal vaping goods
NSW Health also finalised four successful prosecutions in January, with courts imposing $41,300 in fines for e-cigarette and tobacco offences. A further 20 prosecutions are currently before the courts.
The NSW Government is pressing ahead with further legislative changes, with the Public Health (Tobacco) Amendment (Landlord Offences) Bill 2025 now before Parliament and expected to be debated in coming weeks. The bill builds on recent reforms aimed at disrupting the illegal tobacco and vaping market, including new offences for possessing or selling commercial quantities of illicit tobacco, stronger penalties of more than $1.5 million and up to seven years’ imprisonment, expanded closure order powers, penalties for breaching those orders, and new lease termination powers for landlords where premises are closed. The reforms also introduce offences for falsely claiming to be licensed, resisting seizure, and attempting to retake seized products.
Authorities say the market continues to adapt. NSW Health is aware some retailers are attempting to avoid enforcement by using QR codes and social media to continue supplying illicit tobacco after closure orders are issued. NSW Police and NSW Health are working together to identify these tactics and adjust enforcement strategies to shut down the activity.
Health Minister Ryan Park said the additional funding would bolster the state’s response.
“I am very grateful for the additional support from the Commonwealth Government to assist in our tobacco enforcement efforts,” he said.
“It is an acknowledgement that the federal tobacco excise is out of step with the community and it is driving consumers towards cheaper illegal tobacco products.”
Park said the extra resources would help authorities gain ground over the next two years, while broader policy settings remained unresolved.
“The assistance from the Commonwealth will help us get ahead of the prevalence of illegal tobacco over the next two years,” he said.
“But so long as the federal excise is where it is, we can continue to see illegal tobacco permeate throughout our high streets – and so I will continue to work constructively with our Commonwealth colleagues in establishing a more sustainable, long term and permanent funding stream for tobacco enforcement personnel.”
He said the government’s approach was clear: “Our approach to illegal tobacco is more boots on the ground; tougher penalties; and more powers to close down bad actors.”
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