Tobacco store blitz lands after pressure from Illawarra businesses
Crackdown delivers relief for retailers.
A wave of tobacco shop closures across the Illawarra and surrounding regions is being welcomed by local business leaders, who say the crackdown marks a turning point for struggling town centres and legitimate retailers.
This week, six tobacco stores across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven were shut down following new NSW State powers that came into effect on November 3, allowing NSW Health to immediately close premises for 90 days.
Corrimal Tobacconist, Warra Tobacconist, Kiama Tobacconist, Snap & Shop in Woonona, King of the Pack in Wollongong and Goodies & More in Nowra are among 24 given immediate 90-day closures under the new laws.
On Friday, November 22, a group of people gathered outside Warra Tobacconist in Cowper Road, Warrawong, reading the notice posted on the shop’s shutters.
The sign said the premises are closed from November 20 to February 18, 2026, inclusive.
It cited a closure order issued on the basis that the Chief Health Officer “reasonably suspect that a relevant breach has, and is likely to occur at the premises. Being the Sale of Illicit Tobacco.”
During the raids this month, NSW Health inspectors, with support from NSW Police, said they found and seized over 349,000 illicit cigarettes, close to 17kg of other illicit tobacco products and almost 4600 illegal vapes.
Investigations continue, and NSW Health warned that further enforcement action, including prosecution, may follow.
Under the new laws, courts can impose longer-term closure orders of up to 12 months, and individuals who continue to trade from closed premises face penalties of up to 12 months’ imprisonment and fines of up to $275,000.
Director of Business Illawarra, Coralie McCarthy, has been advocating on behalf of local businesses against the rise in tobacco stores.
She welcomed the raids, which she said would help the Illawarra’s High Streets.
“Retailers and small businesses across the region have been contacting Business Illawarra about the negative impact of illegal tobacco stores in small towns and villages - raising concerns of safety, negative impact on foot traffic and impact on our CBDs broadly,” she said.
“Business Illawarra have actively spoken to the NSW Government and the Opposition - championing change and compliance to ensure small business gets a fair go. The reforms are a great example of how effective change can be when business and both sides of government work together for legislation reform.”
Minister for Health and Member for Keira, Ryan Park said the closures were just the beginning.
“The operation this week across the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Riverina is part of our ongoing efforts to disrupt the supply of illicit tobacco and illicit vaping goods to protect public health across NSW,” he said.
“This will take some time as we ramp up our closure activities, but this is just the beginning, and we want to reassure the community that we are targeting those retailers doing the wrong thing.
“My message to retailers selling illicit tobacco or vapes is to stop it now. If you’re doing the wrong thing, sooner or later we will come for you.”