Amendments to Victoria’s tobacco act have prompted proactive visit from local police. Pictured are Inspector Dave Bowler, Campaspe Shire Council environmental health officers Jeremy Draper and Julie Scutt, and youth specialist officer Shane Roberts.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
Local police are visiting tobacco retailers before new licensing laws that aim to disrupt organised crime and promote community health come into effect.
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On Wednesday, June 4, Inspector Dave Bowler and youth specialist officer Shane Roberts visited businesses to discuss changes to Victoria’s tobacco laws.
Inspector Bowler said the initiative was informing retailers about their new responsibilities, particularly to protect young people.
“This is a community awareness and health update to the tobacco retailers,” he said.
“We’re really concerned about the growing number of youths in our community that are engaging in some harmful activity in terms of smoking and so forth.”
Joined by Campaspe Shire Council’s environmental health officers, the officers educated retailers on new licensing and signage laws, and the ban on vape sales.
Amendments to Victoria’s tobacco act come into effect next month.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
From Tuesday, July 1, retailers will need to apply for a licence to sell tobacco ahead of ramped up enforcement from February next year.
The Victorian Government has committed $46 million from this year’s state budget towards licensing inspectors who will hold illegal operators to account.
Tough new penalties come into effect next month, including a $355,000 fine or up to 15 years in jail for any person found to be selling illicit tobacco, and fines of up to $1.7 million for businesses.
Victoria Police will play a role in ensuring licensees are suitable under the scheme, and will have powers to impose further licence conditions.
“We’ve had some terrible experiences with our illicit tobacco trade over the years and organised crime infiltrating the area,” Inspector Bowler said.
“This is just about ensuring that we’re working together with our partners to provide a safe and healthy community.”
Police search powers will increase in the state, making it easier to raid, search and seize illicit products from a retailer presumed to have organised crime links.
Police Minister Anthony Carbines said the scheme would support police in disrupting the illicit trade.
“If you are doing the wrong thing and dealing in illegal tobacco, you will get caught, and you will face the toughest penalties in Australia,” he said.
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