A $16 million strike team has been established in South Australia to combat the escalating black market trade in nicotine-laced vapes and illegal tobacco.
“If you are breaking the law with impunity, selling chop chop, selling illegal cigarettes, tobacco, vapes, we are coming after you,” Premier Peter Malinauskas said.
“This will be the most comprehensive new enforcement effort in the sale of illegal cigarettes and tobacco that we’ve seen in our state in decades.”
The 20-person team will walk the streets from July and help catch dodgy sellers.
The illegal tobacco trade has grown rapidly in recent years, fueled by organised crime and outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Authorities have identified at least 100 shops across various suburbs blatantly engaging in under-the-counter and open sales of these illicit products, some even resorting to advertising through letterbox drops.
Authorities are particularly concerned about the products being marketed at children.
“The uptake of vapes by our young people is absolutely something we should be very frightened about,” the state’s Chief Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, said.
This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.
South Australia takes a bold step towards cracking down on the black market trade of nicotine-laced vapes and illegal tobacco with the establishment of a $16 million strike team. Premier Peter Malinauskas issued a stern warning to lawbreakers, emphasizing the comprehensive enforcement effort to eradicate illegal sales. Concerns are raised over the rapid growth of the illicit tobacco trade, fueled by organised crime and outlaw motorcycle gangs. In response, a 20-person team will hit the streets in July to apprehend illegal sellers.
Authorities have pinpointed over 100 shops engaging in under-the-counter sales, some targeting children through advertising tactics. The state’s Chief Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier, voiced alarm over the rising popularity of vapes among young people. This initiative marks the most significant enforcement action in decades to combat the illegal cigarette and tobacco trade in South Australia.