Tesch welcomes new tobacco industry reforms
Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch has welcomed a suite of new reforms, aimed at providing better oversight over the tobacco industry in NSW.
"Like the community, I am concerned by the prevalence of illegal tobacco and e-cigarettes in our community, especially their proximity to our schools and children," she said.
"We are introducing harsher penalties for retailers who are doing the wrong thing and boosting our team of enforcement officers to catch them.
"These new laws are the most significant tobacco retailing reforms in NSW in the last decade and will help us combat the scourge of illicit tobacco sales across the state."
She said that, in 2023, NSW Health inspectors conducted more than 3000 inspections seizing $13.7 million worth of nicotine vapes and e-liquids, and more than 4.8 million cigarettes and 1700 kilograms of other illegal tobacco.
In the 2023-24 budget, $25 million was allocated to tobacco and e-cigarette control measures.
Ms Tesch encouraged community members with concerns that a retailer has broken tobacco laws to make a report to NSW Health on 1300 066 055 or online at http://penne.ws/MAssOt/
"New legislation and enforcement activities will help act as a deterrent, in response to growing concerns from our community," said Ms Tesch.
"However, we need the community to continue to be the eyes and ears on the ground.
"If you see something that concerns you, I encourage you to make a report.
"Together, we can ensure the future health of our community," Ms Tesch said.
Under the new reforms, a new tobacco licensing scheme, retailers and wholesalers of tobacco and non-tobacco smoking products will be required to hold a licence and pay an annual fee.
A license will be able to be refused, or revoked, if the applicant has been convicted of a tobacco or vaping product related offence.
The proposed legislation will also double maximum penalties for a range of tobacco retailing offences, including individuals selling tobacco products to minors, who will face fines of up to $22,000 for a first offence and $110,000 for a subsequent offence, and for corporations, who will be liable for up to $110,000 for a first offence and $220,000 for subsequent offence.
NSW Health will also recruit 14 additional enforcement officers to strengthen compliance efforts across the state, doubling the number of authorised inspectors employed by the Ministry of Health.
SOURCE:
Media release, 5 Dec 2024
Joely Langmaid, Office of the Member for Gosford