Griffin Calls for a Crack Down on Tobacco Shops: Petition + Scruby Wants DA Requirement + Parliamentary Inquiry into Illegal Tobacco Now Open for submissions
Member for Manly, James Griffin has called for urgent reforms to address the rapid spread of tobacco stores throughout Manly and across the Northern Beaches, launching a petition which has already recorded close to one thousand signatures in a matter of days.
Mr Griffin said the community has had enough of these stores popping up at our local shops, near our schools, and on our beachfronts. Recent figures show there are now 60 tobacco stores in Sydney for every McDonald’s restaurant, with NSW Health data confirming a 25 per cent increase in tobacconists across the state in just four years.
“It’s clear the current measures aren’t working. Through this petition, I am urging the NSW Government to implement meaningful reforms that address the unchecked growth of tobacco retailers, including changes to state and local government planning controls,” said Mr Griffin.
Potential reforms could include stricter assessment of store locations, consideration of development application requirements for tobacconists, and a cap on the number of tobacco stores per post code or Local Government Area.
Mr Griffin also highlighted the need for a more effective compliance and enforcement regime, saying the responsibility should no longer fall solely on NSW Health.
“My petition also calls on the NSW Government to establish a dedicated multi-agency approach, bringing together NSW Police, NSW Health, and Liquor and Gaming to crack down on non-compliant and illegal operators,” said Mr Griffin.
“Communities should have a say in what kind of businesses are opening near their schools and shopping centres. We need to look seriously at whether these stores are appropriate in certain locations and assess the kind of benefits they offer our local communities. If you share these concerns, please consider signing my petition.”
Mr Griffin’s petition, ‘Tobacco Stores: Enough is Enough’, can be accessed at the following link: tobacco-stores-enough-is-enough
In addition, the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the illegal tobacco trade, initiated by the NSW Liberal Opposition, is now accepting submissions. To lodge a submission, visit: www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/inquiries/Pages/inquiry-details.3100-submissions
The inquiry will examine a range of issues surrounding the sale of illegal tobacco including links to organised crime and money laundering, the social and economic impacts on local communities and businesses, and the adequacy of existing legislative and administrative frameworks, including compliance and enforcement regimes.
The Chair of the committee, the Hon. Robert Borsak MLC, said that: 'The rise of the black-market tobacco trade and its impact on local communities and small businesses has been widely reported and appears to be reaching crisis point. Small businesses have reported instances of violence, intimidation and financial insecurity and there have been reports of harmful substances detected in illicit tobacco products including fungal and mould spores.'
'This inquiry will be an opportunity for us to hear from various stakeholders, including industry experts, small businesses, health professionals and law enforcement agencies, to better understand the nature, extent and impact of the illegal tobacco trade. The committee is particularly keen to hear from small businesses and communities in regional New South Wales,' Mr Borsak added.
The Chair continued: 'Increasing excise duties, while intended to reduce consumption and generate revenue, may not be having the desired effect. The committee looks forward to gaining a detailed evidence-based understanding of what is happening on the ground with a view to determining whether the legislative framework and enforcement regime is adequate to address this growing problem.'
The committee welcomes submissions from interested stakeholders and members of the community.
The Terms of Reference are:
That Portfolio Committee No. 5 - Justice and Communities inquire into and report on the illegal tobacco trade in New South Wales, and in particular:
(a) current links between serious and organised crime syndicates and tobacconists, and future trends in crime activities, practices, methods and their impact on society
(b) the utilisation of money laundering schemes by tobacconists, including the use of automated teller machines (ATMs)
(c) introduction of legal protections for landlords who lease to tobacconists
(d) the adequacy of existing legislation and the allocation of departmental responsibility for enforcement, including in other jurisdictions
(e) review of the resourcing, administrative arrangements and staffing for enforcement in metropolitan and regional New South Wales, including the adequacy of cross-jurisdictional databases to meet current and future needs
(f) the impact of the tobacco trade on small businesses and communities in regional New South Wales
(g) the impact of prohibition on organisations that profit from illegal or over-regulated products
(h) communities and groups that are disproportionately impacted by changes in the supply and regulation of products, and
(i) any other related matter.
The closing date for submissions is Friday 1 August 2025.
Independent MP for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby gave notice of a Motion last month - 13 May - to urge the government to;
(i) establish a Taskforce with the police (26 NSW Health officials shouldn't be responsible for raids)
(ii) change planning laws so they require a DA.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has confirmed police will be involved in raiding tobacco shops.
The NSW Parliament has recently passed laws to increase the penalties for individuals and corporations selling illegal tobacco.
The reforms, expected to be phased in from 1 July 2025, are structured to combat illicit tobacco sales. They include a new licensing scheme for retailers and significantly increased penalties for offenders.
Under the new laws, businesses will need to obtain a tobacco retailing license or face fines of up to $220,000 for corporations and $44,000 for individuals. Retailers with a current Retailer Identification Number (RIN) will receive information in 2025 from NSW Health outlining what steps they will need to take if they wish to apply for a licence.
Heavier penalties are now in effect for offences such as selling single cigarettes or in packs less than 20, tobacco products without health warnings, or using prohibited packaging. Corporations caught committing these offences face fines of up to $770,000, while individuals can be fined $154,000.
The new laws have also strengthened penalties for both individuals and corporations caught selling tobacco products to minors. Individuals can be fined up to $22,000 for their first offence and $110,000 for subsequent offences while corporations face fines of up to $110,000 for a first offence and $220,000 for further offences. On-the-spot fines of up to $5,500 may also be issued by NSW Health inspectors for several offences. For a full list of offences and penalties see the NSW Health Website.
NSW authorities are also ramping up enforcement efforts to support compliant businesses and protect the community from the dangers of illicit tobacco. Members of the public are encouraged to report illegal tobacco sales via the NSW Health website.