Ballina Tobacconist Shut Down For Illegal Sales
Ballina’s prominent Tamar Street tobacconist has been ordered to close for 90 days after NSW Health alleged the store continued selling illegal tobacco and vape products despite a warning and earlier raid.
The bright yellow closure order was fixed to the front shutters yesterday at the corner of Tamar and Moon streets opposite the post office.
The notice states the premises must remain shut until March 11 under the Public Health (Tobacco) Act.
The shop is one of two tobacconists on Tamar Street. The other nearby store remained open and continued trading.
The business is prohibited from reopening for three months
Customers surprised and agitated
Ballina News Daily arrived as a steady stream of regular customers turned up expecting to buy cigarettes and vapes, only to discover the shop was shut.
One man looked at the notice and sighed.
“Well I guess now is the time to give up and start the New Year without them,” he said.
Others were more agitated and complained about the high cost of legal products and the tightening crackdown, while others left empty-handed.
The Ballina store is one of at least six retailers across the North Coast suspended from trading this week as NSW Health continues a major compliance sweep targeting illegal tobacco and vapes.
Inspectors have focused on unlicensed sales, nicotine vapes disguised as “single-use devices”, and retailers who ignore formal warnings.
NSW Health now has expanded powers to shut premises for up to three months where illegal products are found or where previous compliance directions are ignored.
Tougher laws now also target landlords
Recent changes introduced by the NSW Government mean commercial landlords can now face penalties if they knowingly lease premises to operators selling illegal tobacco or vape products.
Under the strengthened rules, property owners may be investigated if authorities suspect they have ignored repeated unlawful sales on their site. Penalties include significant fines and possible civil action.
Ministers say the measures are designed to stop a pattern of businesses closing and reopening under new names or operators while continuing illegal sales.
It remains unclear whether the ban will force some businesses to close for good, or whether more smokers will start quitting or pay up to $50 extra for a pack.
