A shop owner on Sydney’s upper north shore has copped a record fine for selling illicit tobacco as authorities reveal they have temporarily shut down more than 360 stores in the past eight months.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park on Wednesday revealed the Hornsby Tobacconist seller was hit with a $1.1m fine, the largest fine since new tobacco restrictions were put in place in November 2025.
The store located on Station St, Hornsby is now permanently closed, after police seized 31,000 illicit cigarettes, 6kg of loose leaf tobacco, 195 nicotine pouches and 817 vaping goods.
“This prosecution was important because the shop ignored closure orders and continued to trade. Significantly, the shop was located in a busy commercial area frequented by commuters and children,” Mr Park said.
It was one of 32 successful prosecutions launched by NSW Health in the past financial year, resulting in more than $2m in fines.
“We have introduced some of the toughest penalties for selling illicit tobacco in the country, backed by enforcement personnel and activities,” Mr Park said.
“There’s currently 16 more prosecutions before the courts and many more NSW Health are currently working on.”
Under new laws introduced in July 2025, retailers and wholesalers must have a tobacco licence in order to sell goods, with that licence renewed annually.
Those found not to have a licence face up to $44,000 in fines for an individual and $220,000 for a business.
Mr Park said since the new reforms were introduced, 362 stores across the state have been issued with short-term closure orders, with 169 currently in force.
Stores hit with short-term closure orders are banned from trading for up to 90 days, while a court can enforce a 12-month ban.
More than 20.5 million counterfeit cigarettes and 214,000 illegal vaping goods have been seized in the past year after NSW Health and police carried out spot inspections on more than 2500 retailers across the state.
Mr Park said the combined street value of the seized products was about $29.7m.
“Our message to bad actors out there – if you do the wrong thing, sooner or later, we will find you, we will close your store, and we will fine you.”
The NSW Opposition welcomed the record Hornsby fine, saying it was a result of the new laws and reforms first proposed by the Liberals and Nationals.
“These stores trade in addiction and sell unregulated products with no regard for the health of their customers,” Opposition Health spokeswoman Sarah Mitchell said.
“Anthony Albanese and Mark Butler are on a smoko break and missing in action when it comes to illegal tobacco with NSW left paying the crime and health costs.”
Extracted in full from: https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/courts-law/sydney-tobacconist-hit-with-record-11m-fine-amid-illegal-tobacco-crackdown/news-story/51e07c823fe9d0846ab38b5fcb6e037b
