Tasmania Continues Crack Down on Illegal Tobacco

Media Release – Bridget Archer, Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing & Felix Ellis, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, 8 February 2026

Tasmania Continues Crack Down on Illegal Tobacco

Draft legislation proposing new laws that crack down on the trade of illegal tobacco, vapes and other smoking products in Tasmania has been released.

Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer, said the illegal trade of tobacco, e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches has increased significantly across Australia and in Tasmania over recent years.

“The Tasmanian Government has begun consultation with key stakeholders and the community on new legislation that targets this illegal trade, while protecting businesses and consumers who are doing the right thing,” Minister Archer said.

“The legislation proposes new offences and increased penalties for the sale and supply of illegal tobacco and vaping products, and new powers to close businesses that sell illegal products.

“This will help further protect the health and wellbeing of Tasmanians, making our tobacco enforcement activities some of the toughest in the country, and complement the actions we have already taken.

“Our Government is delivering for Tasmanians and has led the way and ensured strong tobacco control laws relating to tobacco and e-cigarettes in terms of licensing, advertising and age restrictions. This draft legislation is about targeting those trading illegally and making it clear that the trade of illicit tobacco products will not be tolerated in our State and reinforces our commitment to protecting young people and reducing smoking rates.”

Last year, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Health and Tasmania Police was put in place to strengthen ongoing enforcement activities.

Minister for Police Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, said the MOU has improved joint operations between Tobacco Control Officers and supporting agencies, helping them work side by side to keep Tasmanians safe.

“Targeted operations supported by this MOU over the last two weeks have resulted in the seizure of 2.1 million cigarette sticks, 1,035 kilograms of loose tobacco, and 735 vapes; an estimated street value of $3.2 million dollars,” Minister Ellis said.

“The new legislation will strengthen the work of Tobacco Control Officers, who are on the ground every day protecting communities from illegal tobacco and vaping products.

“While our Government is disrupting the illegal sale of vapes and illicit tobacco products in Tasmania, we can’t deal with the problem alone.

“We need a national approach that drives better public health outcomes and supports community safety.”

The Draft Public Health Amendment (Prohibited Tobacco and Other Products) Bill 2026 is now available on the Department of Health website and feedback can be provided to the Department by 6 March 2026.

The Public Health Amendment (Prohibited Tobacco and Other Products) Bill 2026 is part of a staged approach in the Tasmanian Liberal Government’s crackdown on illegal tobacco products.

The next phase will see all smoking and nicotine laws consolidated under a single Smoking Product Act for Tasmania.

Media Release – Helen Burnet MP, Independent Member for Clark, 10 February 2026

Tobacco Reform Must Be Good for Health, Not Just to Protect Business

The independent MP for Clark, Helen Burnet has called for amendments planned to tighten illicit tobacco sales to deliver better health outcomes for all Tasmanians, too.

Ms Burnet trained as a Podiatrist and when she was elected to Hobart City Council helped introduce smoking bans in Hobart’s CBD and other areas, due to concerns about health impacts.

Ms Burnet today stated “Current Legislation has a loophole you could drive through with a semi-trailer filled with contraband cigarettes and vapes.

“While I welcome the government’s move to amend legislation to make penalties tougher and break supply chains, the government has the perfect opportunity to also strengthen action to reduce smoking rates.

“Per annum, approximately 600 Tasmanians die from cancer, respiratory illnesses and peripheral vascular disease attributable to smoking. That amounts to approximately 6,000 lives lost to hideous illnesses associated with smoking vapes and cigarettes, during this government’s time in office. These are appalling statistics”.

Ms Burnet has also stated she is concerned about cuts to Quit Tasmania funding.

“The key to success of public health campaigns is strong legislation, strong, targeted education which Quit Tasmania does so well, and strong enforcement.

“Halving Quit Tasmania’s funding to crucial education strategies, often targeted at young Tasmanians, is condemning people to a lifetime of smoking addiction. It is a false economy.

“If Minister Archer is serious about the preventive health strategy for Tasmania, which I welcome, then this is the place to start. Smoking kills too many Tasmanians. Nobody should go through the agony of a smoking-related cancer nor death from smoking.

“The government must close the loopholes, not just to benefit legitimate tobacco retailers, but to more importantly help people never start smoking, to help quit the habit, and to ensure enforcement officers are penalising those who are not toeing the line.”

Consultation on the amendments is open until 6th March 2026.