Australia’s Tasmania Tables New Bill to Strengthen Crackdown on Illicit Tobacco and Vapes

Key Takeaways

• Tasmania tabled the Public Health Amendment (Prohibited Tobacco and Other Products) Bill 2026 in Parliament on March 24.
• The bill would create a new offence for the sale and supply of illicit vaping products.
• It would significantly increase penalties for selling or supplying illicit tobacco and vapes.
• It would give authorities new powers to close businesses selling illegal products or operating outside the licensing framework.
• The bill would also ban vending machine sales of smoking products and visible retail display of smoking paraphernalia.

2Firsts, March 25, 2026

According to Retail World Magazine, Tasmania is intensifying its fight against illicit tobacco and vaping products. Tasmania’s Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer, tabled the Public Health Amendment (Prohibited Tobacco and Other Products) Bill 2026 in Parliament on March 24.

The bill would create new offences for illicit vape sales and increase penalties

Bridget Archer said the new laws would send a clear message that the trade in illicit tobacco products will not be tolerated in Tasmania, as part of the state’s ongoing commitment to reduce smoking rates and protect young Tasmanians from harm.

She said these products undermine efforts to reduce smoking and nicotine addiction and are often sold in ways that deliberately target teenagers. According to the report, the legislation would create new offences for the sale and supply of illicit vaping products and significantly increase penalties for the sale and supply of illicit tobacco and vapes.

The bill would give authorities power to close businesses and ban vending machine sales of smoking products

The report said the bill would introduce a series of stronger enforcement measures, including new powers to close businesses engaged in illicit tobacco or vape sales or operating outside the licensing framework.

It would also ban the sale of smoking products from vending machines and prohibit the display of smoking paraphernalia in retail stores, so that such items are not visible to consumers, especially children and young people.

Police minister said Tasmania wants to prevent mainland-style firebombings and intimidation tactics

Tasmania’s Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, said action was needed to ensure that firebombings and intimidation tactics seen on the Australian mainland do not take hold in Tasmania.

He said illegal tobacco is fuelling organised crime across Australia and that tougher enforcement against criminal gangs would send the message that they will not be tolerated in Tasmania.

Felix Ellis also said that while the Tasmanian government is disrupting the illegal sale of vapes and illicit tobacco products in the state, it cannot address the problem alone and that a national approach is needed to improve public health outcomes and support community safety.

Image source: Scandinavian Tobacco Group A/S