The Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has welcomed new legislation proposed by the Queensland Government aimed at cracking down on the illegal tobacco and vape trade.
The proposed laws include extending interim closure orders from three days to three months and introducing penalties for landlords who knowingly lease premises to illegal operators.
The measures are designed to prevent traders from quickly resuming business after raids.
Theo Foukkare, CEO of AACS, praised the state’s approach, saying that it was great to see law makers aren’t waiting for the issue to spiral further out of control.
“QLD Health Minister Tim Nicholls has listened, acted swiftly and continues to show strong leadership on tackling this national crisis which continues to impact responsible retailers and jeopardise the safety of communities right across the country.”
Foukkare said the laws would “help put an end to the dodgy operators who get raided, have their illegal stock confiscated and are up and trading again in as little as a few hours.”
He also supported the move to empower landlords to terminate leases of those engaged in illegal sales, while holding complicit property owners accountable.
However, Foukkare urged the Federal Government to contribute more to tackling the issue, particularly by freezing planned tobacco excise increases.
“Every time the excise is hiked, more consumers simply transfer from the legal, strictly regulated market to the black market that supports organised crime.
“The Albanese Federal Government and Federal Health Minister Mark Butler need to realise that adults who choose to smoke or vape will continue doing so, just illegally, because the price hikes are sending them there.”
Citing a forthcoming report by FTI Consulting, Foukkare said it shows organised crime may control up to 50 per cent of the illegal tobacco market.
“Things simply cannot continue as they are, otherwise fire bombings and crime in communities will only worsen.”
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