The Government of South  Australia is continuing its fight against vapes and illegal tobacco and the criminals who sell them with new powers being legislated to shut down illicit tobacco shops - as we reach $1 million worth of seized tobacco and vapes off South Australian streets.

The state government will seek to legislate powers for the Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs to shut down a premises if they suspect that illicit tobacco products or vapes are being sold or supplied on site.

The initial order can apply for 72 hours and can be extended to up to six months with the approval of a Magistrate.

Any business who violates such an order can be hit with a penalty of up to $1.1 million and an individual up to $700,000.

It’s the latest step in the state government’s crackdown on the illicit vape and tobacco market with it estimated that organised crime groups control 75 per cent of the illicit tobacco market in Australia.

Consumer and Business Services has now seized more than $1 million of illicit tobacco and vapes since July 1 including more than 500,000 cigarettes and 12,492 vapes.

This follows the state government’s $16 million investment in a dedicated taskforce within Consumer and Business Services (CBS).

Since then, CBS has been conducting regular inspections and raids and has found that despite being raided, some illicit stores are up and running again almost immediately. These new powers will mean they can be shut down and prevented from trading for up to six months.

The government has also introduced to parliament significantly higher penalties relating to the sale and use of vapes and tobacco products of up to $1.5 million.

The government will continue to stamp out this illicit trade and encourages people to report illegal tobacco or vape dealers to Consumer and Business Services via www.cbs.sa.gov.au/tobacco.