The Victorian government is taking a tough stance on combating the illegal tobacco trade by introducing new legislation that promises the harshest penalties in the country. This initiative includes the establishment of a tobacco licensing scheme for retailers, granting additional powers and resources to police to tackle illegal sellers, and the creation of a dedicated tobacco regulator equipped with inspectors to enforce compliance.
Premier Jacinta Allan emphasized the severity of the penalties, with individuals caught selling tobacco without a license facing fines of up to $355,000 or a possible 15-year imprisonment, while businesses could be fined up to $1.7 million. The Premier highlighted the need for more resources and powers, particularly for Victoria Police, to effectively clamp down on the illicit tobacco trade, aiming to prevent further harm and loss resulting from this criminal activity.
Under the proposed legislation, only licensed retailers would be permitted to sell tobacco, subject to a rigorous "fit and proper persons" test to ensure that individuals with criminal affiliations are prohibited from obtaining licenses. The government aims to prevent criminal syndicates from undermining legitimate businesses by filtering out unsuitable applicants based on their history and associations. A new tobacco regulator would oversee the enforcement and compliance of licenses, granting them the authority to conduct searches, seize illegal items, and expand police powers to swiftly raid retailers suspected of involvement in organized crime activities.