Record crackdown continues on illicit tobacco and vape trade

• The Crisafulli Government has seized record amounts of illicit tobacco and vapes and issued nation leading fines. 
• 45 million illicit cigarettes, 350,000 vapes, and six tonnes of loose tobacco has been seized since coming to office.
• Almost $20 million worth of fines have been issued to traders caught stocking and selling these illegal products since tough new fines were introduced in April this year. 
• $12.7 million is being invested in an extra 40 new enforcement officers will be recruited in 2025-26 to join the fight against illicit tobacco and vaping. 

The Crisafulli Government is turning up the heat on the criminal tobacco and vape trade by seizing a record amount of dangerous and illicit products from Queensland streets.  

Illegal traders were allowed to setup shops across Queensland under the former Labor Government - who failed to act - which allowed Queensland kids easy access to poisonous vapes and other illicit products.  

Queensland Health has seized 45 million illegal cigarettes, 350,000 vapes and more than six tonnes of loose tobacco since the Crisafulli Government’s nation-leading crackdown began in November 2024.  

Queensland Health enforcement officers have issued $19.7 million in fines since harsher penalties were introduced in April.   

This significant work included Operation Appaloosa in March – the nation’s largest ever seizure led by a health authority - which saw more than 76,000 vapes, 19 million cigarettes and 3.6 tonnes of loose tobacco seized. 

The Crisafulli Government’s record Health Budget is also delivering $12.7 million to hire an extra 43 public health officers to boost enforcement capacity by more than 25 per cent.  

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the Crisafulli Government made no apologies for its crackdown.  

“The Crisafulli Government’s zero tolerance approach to illegal tobacco and vape dealers is showing positive signs, and we will continue our strong action to keep these dangerous products out of the reach of our kids,” Minister Nicholls said.  

“The former Labor Government failed communities right across Queensland with weak action that had zero deterrent to these illegal traders.  

MEDIA CONTACT: Emma Morton 0410 657 890 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  

Enforcement action since November 2024: 

• Hervey Bay Magistrates Court shutters six local illegal traders for six months, in a landmark judgement after legal action was launched by Queensland Health. 
• 2,481 penalty infringement notices (PINs) have been issued since November 2024, totalling $25.3 million. 
• Since the increased fines were introduced on 3 April 2025, 389 PINs were issued for the commercial possession and supply of illicit tobacco or nicotine products totalling $19.7 million.
• 116 interim closure orders were issued since November 2024.
• 44,681,206 illicit cigarettes were seized.
• 349,214 vaping products were seized.
• 164,857 nicotine pouches were seized.  
• 6.239 tonnes of illicit loose tobacco was seized.