Tougher laws on vaping, illegal tobacco may struggle to hold back the tide
The changes, which Health Minister Ryan Park described as the toughest in the country, included new maximum penalties of $1.5 million and seven years' imprisonment for the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes. They would introduce similar penalties for possession of commercial quantities of the substances.
The new laws were first flagged by Premier Chris Minns the week before.
Today comes the news that the suburb of Dulwich Hill has four tobacconists that each sell illegal vapes.
In neighbouring Marrickville, a new store is using Labubu toys to promote illegal vapes just metres from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's electoral office in another sign of how brazen Sydney's black market tobacco has become.
From July 1 last year, all nicotine vapes have been classified as therapeutic goods, meaning they can be legally purchased only at pharmacies.
Despite the promise of these tough new laws, the Herald visited the four tobacconists in Dulwich Hill – three on Marrickville Road and a fourth on New Canterbury Road – and asked for an Alibarbar vape from each.
Some produced laminated menus showing the various flavours of Chinese-made vapes. Most offered a discount for paying cash, and the price averaged about $35 for a gold 'ingot' vape boasting 9000 puffs.
In Marrickville, there are at least 10 tobacconists. The Herald visited the newest store, Labubu Stop & Shop, which has opened across the street from Albanese's electorate office.
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Tougher laws on vaping, illegal tobacco may struggle to hold back the tide
Only eight days ago, the Minns government announced to great fanfare that illegal tobacco sellers would face prison terms of up to seven years and forced shop closures under new laws to be introduced. The changes, which Health Minister Ryan Park described as the toughest in the country, included new maximum penalties of $1.5 million and seven years' imprisonment for the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes. They would introduce similar penalties for possession of commercial quantities of the substances. The new laws were first flagged by Premier Chris Minns the week before. Today comes the news that the suburb of Dulwich Hill has four tobacconists that each sell illegal vapes. In neighbouring Marrickville, a new store is using Labubu toys to promote illegal vapes just metres from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's electoral office in another sign of how brazen Sydney's black market tobacco has become. From July 1 last year, all nicotine vapes have been classified as therapeutic goods, meaning they can be legally purchased only at pharmacies. Despite the promise of these tough new laws, the Herald visited the four tobacconists in Dulwich Hill – three on Marrickville Road and a fourth on New Canterbury Road – and asked for an Alibarbar vape from each. Some produced laminated menus showing the various flavours of Chinese-made vapes. Most offered a discount for paying cash, and the price averaged about $35 for a gold 'ingot' vape boasting 9000 puffs. In Marrickville, there are at least 10 tobacconists. The Herald visited the newest store, Labubu Stop & Shop, which has opened across the street from Albanese's electorate office.
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Tougher laws on vaping, illegal tobacco may struggle to hold back the tide
Only eight days ago, the Minns government announced to great fanfare that illegal tobacco sellers would face prison terms of up to seven years and forced shop closures under new laws to be introduced. The changes, which Health Minister Ryan Park described as the toughest in the country, included new maximum penalties of $1.5 million and seven years' imprisonment for the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes. They would introduce similar penalties for possession of commercial quantities of the substances. The new laws were first flagged by Premier Chris Minns the week before. Today comes the news that the suburb of Dulwich Hill has four tobacconists that each sell illegal vapes. In neighbouring Marrickville, a new store is using Labubu toys to promote illegal vapes just metres from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's electoral office in another sign of how brazen Sydney's black market tobacco has become. From July 1 last year, all nicotine vapes have been classified as therapeutic goods, meaning they can be legally purchased only at pharmacies. Despite the promise of these tough new laws, the Herald visited the four tobacconists in Dulwich Hill – three on Marrickville Road and a fourth on New Canterbury Road – and asked for an Alibarbar vape from each. Some produced laminated menus showing the various flavours of Chinese-made vapes. Most offered a discount for paying cash, and the price averaged about $35 for a gold 'ingot' vape boasting 9000 puffs. In Marrickville, there are at least 10 tobacconists. The Herald visited the newest store, Labubu Stop & Shop, which has opened across the street from Albanese's electorate office.
