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Officers from the Darling Downs Public Health Unit (DDPHU) have seized thousands of illicit cigarettes after simultaneous searches across the region.
The DDPHU in conjunction with the Queensland Police Service and other Public Health Units raided properties in Toowoomba, Dalby, Warwick and the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday as part of Queensland Health’s ongoing crackdown of illegal cigarettes and vapes.
Preliminary figures show at least 78,000 cigarettes were seized as well as 89 vapes and 1920 nicotine pouches.
The businesses were issued with interim closure orders, requiring them to close for 72 hours.
Investigations are continuing.
Darling Downs Health Executive Director of Medical Services Dr Liam Flynn said the seizures demonstrated the health service’s ongoing dedication to stubbing out the illegal tobacco trade.
“We will continue our work to crackdown on this activity across the Darling Downs, as it puts the hard work Queenslanders have done to curb smoking rates and reduce preventable disease and death at risk,”
Darling Downs Health Executive Director of Medical Services, Dr Liam Flynn
“We will continue to target businesses and business owners who are doing the wrong thing by supplying illicit tobacco and dangerous vapes.”
The DDPHU has a responsibility, in the interest of public safety, to undertake proactive and targeted responses to breaches of smoking product laws, including vapes, as the sale of non-regulated products presents a health risk to the community.
The supply or possession of illicit tobacco and illicit nicotine products as a part of a business activity is an offence under the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998, which is administered by Queensland Health.
The seizures come as the Queensland Parliament prepares to consider new legislation that would allow Queensland Health to shut down illegal businesses for three months.
If you suspect that tobacco or other nicotine products are being sold illegally, please report it via 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or online at https://www.health.qld.gov.au/public-health/topics/atod/smoking-laws/penalties/reporting-a-possible-breach-of-smoking-laws