Illegal tobacco sellers hitting back after crackdown

The Gold Coast’s retailers of illegally imported cigarettes and vapes appear to be moving their businesses online after a crackdown that forced 19 stores across the city to shut their doors.

In the biggest crackdown so far, Queensland Health carried out the nation’s largest co-ordinated vape raids over 10 days forcing the closure of nearly 150 stores throughout the state.

Included in the raids were 19 Gold Coast stores, which sold packets of cigarettes for as low as $12 as opposed to $40 at legal retailers.

During the 10-day blitz - codenamed Operation Major - 148 stores were issued with three-month closure orders, and authorities seized more than 11.8 million cigarettes, 1.7 tonnes of loose tobacco, 87,000 vapes, 4.2 litres of vaping liquid and 270,000 nicotine pouches were seized.

But the illegal sellers are again flouting the law by posting advertisements using QR codes near pubs and clubs.

The QR codes link to mobile suppliers offering express delivery of cigarettes and vapes and discounts for bulk purchases.

The latest moves come despite the risk of jail sentences and hefty fines.

The bootleg suppliers have become increasingly popular throughout Australia and the Gold Coast over the past two years, with the Federal Government saying the illegal trade has cost it more than $8 billion in tax revenue a year.

The Australian Taxation Office believes the Australian black market now accounts for one in five tobacco sales but the Australian Bureau of Statistics says the true figure could now be as high as 50 per cent.

As more smokers started buying through the black market, openly operating through retail outlets throughout the country, the Federal Government has been missing out on collecting its taxes, which now account for almost $30 for a pack of 20 cigarettes.

The market is so large the Australian Bureau of Statistics this week announced that is reworking its model of the Australian economy to account for the black-market sales.

However, Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls is gloating over the success of the big crackdown

“They can’t fill orders if the warehouses have been emptied,” Mr Nicholls said.

Mr Nicholls thanked Queensland Health’s public health units over the success of Operation Major.

“The Crisafulli Government’s tough new tobacco and vaping laws are undoing Labor’s decade of decline, during which criminals were allowed to set up these illegal operations in towns across the state,” Mr Nicholls said.

“In the first 10 days of these tough new laws taking effect, our public health officers, with the support of police, ruthlessly targeted these criminals selling illegal chop chop and dangerous vapes.

“This historic action sends a clear message that Queensland will not tolerate businesses peddling illegal, addictive and dangerous vapes and tobacco in our community. “

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Dan Purdie said the Queensland Health blitz, which had been supported by the police, had targeted organised crime syndicates behind trade.

“The efforts of both agencies have led to a significant disruption in the state’s illegal vape and tobacco black market after the Commonwealth failed to keep pace,’’ Mr Purdie said.

“This operation has stamped out more than 148 dodgy businesses who have no qualms in selling harmful products to our kids.”