Tobacconists caught selling illegal products would be named and shamed under a push for a public register of shops that have been shut down by the government with experts saying it “sends a clear message” to unlawful behaviour.
Industry insiders told The Sunday Mail the Queensland government was falling behind other states that publish a list, which provides visible evidence that enforcement is happening.
It comes after Queensland Health raided and closed 159 stores and seized $16.8 million worth of products equalling to about 893,001 illicit cigarettes, 50.9kg of loose illicit tobacco, 5436 vaping devices and 2000 nicotine pouches.
The crackdown follows new laws that came into effect on November 24 allowing the government to slap tobacconists with three-month closure orders.
Australian Association of Convenience Stores chief executive Theo Fukkare said they would be supportive of a public register to all stores that were issued an order.
“It’s not hard for the government to do. I think that would act as a very strong deterrent for any of these dodgy traders,” he said.
“Because ultimately you’re saying ‘you’ve been done here, and you’re a really bad actor supporting organised crime groups’, and it is going to affect them in the future, once people look up their history and all the rest of it, and they might look to apply for another license.
“I think it will absolutely serve as a very good deterrent for anyone that hasn’t been caught. But naming and shaming these people after the fact is 100 per cent something that we would support because there’s more benefit than downside.”
One industry insider said the public register was an added deterrent showing the laws are being enforced.
“Queensland is leading the nation with its tough approach to cracking down on black‑market tobacco and nicotine but it’s still missing a critical piece of the puzzle by not publishing a list of retailers shut down for illegal sales. Making this information public sends a clear message that unlawful behaviour won’t be tolerated and gives the community visible proof that enforcement is happening” he said.
“New South Wales already publishes a similar list and adopting the same approach in Queensland would strengthen national consistency.”
Since the new laws came in stores are going to new extremes to sell their products.
Multiple businesses across Queensland are shifting to handing phone numbers out through QR codes on WhatsApp and asking people to meet in various carparks over different periods to try and keep selling their products.
While other businesses are opening after hours and offering cigarette delivery services by using a QR code through WhatsApp to place their order.
A spokeswoman for Health and Ambulance Services Minister Tim Nicholls said Queensland Health’s dedicated public health officers would continue to target illicit chop shops into the new year, after being empowered by the Crisafulli Government’s tough new legislation.
Extracted in full from: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/illegal-tobacconists-face-being-named-and-shamed-on-public-register/news-story/2f52b88d499050f4f2e3e165ed5b65ec
