Victoria to introduce the nation’s “toughest” tobacco laws 

Vendors will face a new and stricter licensing scheme with greater penalties as the Victorian government seeks to crack down on the illegal tobacco trade. 

The new licensing scheme, thought to be the toughest in Australia, will mean that tobacco can only be sold by licensed retailers and that applicants can be refused a licence based on their history and known associates.

A licence will only be available to “fit and proper persons” who pass a strict test. The scheme aims to protect legitimate businesses from getting undercut by criminal syndicates. 

Businesses that are found to be selling illicit tobacco will face fines of more than $1.7 million, while individuals face fines of more than $355,000 or up to 15 years in jail. 

State Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Minister Melissa Horne said, “these reforms will better protect businesses who are operating legitimately and will ensure greater oversight of the tobacco retail and wholesale industries in Victoria.”

The harsher penalties build on the work of Victoria Police Taskforce Lunar, which was established in October 2023 to tackle organised crime syndicates associated with the illegal tobacco trade. 

The taskforce has so far made more than 90 arrests and has executed some 200 search warrants, with a number of shops within the City of Melbourne targeted. 

To better support Victoria Police efforts, the State government will also be putting more “boots on the ground” by increasing official search powers to make it easier and quicker to raid, search and seize illicit products from a retailer with suspected links with organised crime syndicates. 

State Police Minister Anthony Carbines said, “Victoria Police has been tireless in its work to disrupt and dismantle organised crime.”

“These new search powers will give police new ways to crack down on crime lords and keep the community safe.”

Alongside Victoria Police, a new tobacco regulator will also be established to administer the licensing scheme and will be responsible for enforcement and compliance of licences. 

Inspectors will support police with extra intelligence gathering in the fight against organised crime and will have the power to search shops, suspend licences, and seize illegal items.

Victoria Police Commissioner, Shane Patton, told ABC Radio Melbourne that the measures are welcomed, but they won’t be a band-aid fix for the tobacco wars.

“While it by itself won’t stop what we have in terms of the conflict at the moment ... this will add to our ability to really make a difference,” he said. 

If the bill passes, the new penalties will roll out once the amendments to the relevant act come into effect. The State government plans for the new tobacco licensing scheme to begin mid-2025.

However, Liberal MP, James Newbury, believes the government has had a delayed response to tobacco-related crime. 

He said that “we need action now” and has raised concerns over how quickly the government will be able to implement the new penalties. •