Three convenience stores on the Northern Beaches have been issued short-term closure orders for allegedly selling illicit tobacco products.
The closures come as new laws on the sale of tobacco and related products come into effect. Three ‘convenience stores’ on the Northern Beaches, at Seaforth, Collaroy and Newport have been closed (as of Thursday, 13 November) after a three-month grace period came to an end.
Northern Beaches MPs, including Jacqui Scruby and James Griffin, had called for a crackdown on the sale of illicit products, in particular vapes which are sold illegally, often to children.
“If the government can close a restaurant for being unhygienic it should also close a shopfront for illegal trade facilitating organised crime,” said Ms Scruby at the time.
Regulation of the sale of tobacco products is empowered by the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2008, which was amended with tougher new laws. Under the Act, NSW Health is the lead agency for investigation and enforcement although it can also call on NSW Police for support.
Despite high-profile announcements from the Minns Government, enforcement activities appear to be occurring under a veil of secrecy, with notification of last week’s closures on the Northern Beaches appearing on the windows of the now closed stores.
The short-term closures include:
Adel’s Convenience Store. 8/42 Ethel Street, Seaforth. A closure order has been issued from 13 November 2025 to 11 February 2026 for the sale of illicit tobacco.
Beach Mart (aka American Snacks and Candies). 15/1125 Pittwater Road, Collaroy. A closure order has been issued from 13 November 2025 to 11 February 2026 for the sale of illicit tobacco and for retail sale of tobacco products without a valid license.
Newport Tobacconist. 315a Barrenjoey Road, Newport. A closure order has been issued from 13 November 2025 to 11 February 2026 for the sale of illicit tobacco and for retail sale of tobacco products without a valid license.
NSW Health declined to comment on the closures, saying they were under investigation, referring the Northern Beaches Advocate to a webpage buried on the NSW Health website outlining closure orders.
Learning of the closure of the store at Seaforth, Manly MP James Griffin (image above) said he was pleased the clear wishes of the public were being translated into action by the government.
“This is people power at work. More than 2,000 local residents signed my petition [Tobacco Stores: Enough is Enough] to give these dodgy vape dens the boot!
“Seaforth residents will be delighted, as am I, that we are turning the tide on these shops,” said Mr Griffin.
Under NSW tobacco retailing laws, retailers are not allowed to:
- sell illicit tobacco
- sell tobacco to people under 18
- display illegal advertising material
Under NSW poisons laws, it is also illegal for any retailer other than a pharmacy to sell vaping products.
Members of the public who have reason to suspect illegal behaviour by retailers not complying with NSW tobacco retailing laws or illegally selling vaping products, can make a report online via the NSW Health website.
Extracted in full from: https://www.northernbeachesadvocate.com.au/2025/11/16/convenience-store-crackdown/
