Queensland's tobacco crackdown lifts legal sales 55% in six months
Federal government funds Queensland's enforcement blitz as legal tobacco sales surge 55% in six months.
The federal government announced $2.7 million in funding for Queensland's illicit tobacco control. Legal sales jumped 55% in December 2025 compared to July 2025, while the national market stayed flat.
The surge followed an enforcement blitz in November and December 2025. Queensland has the largest enforcement team per capita in Australia, with authorised health and compliance officers able to immediately close stores for three months if they sell illegal products.
Retailers face large fines and landlords can be held accountable for illegal sales on their property. Victoria only started enforcement in February 2026 with only 14 officers.
The Australian Council on Smoking & Health calls Queensland's multi-pronged approach the best in the country.
- $2.7 million
- Federal funding
- 55 percent December 2025 vs July 2025
- Legal sales increase
- three months
- Store closure period
Why it mattersQueensland's success shows hard enforcement can disrupt illicit trade and push buyers back to legal products, giving other states a proven model to copy.
AustraliaQueensland's strategy is working as a nationwide test case. Other states are now adopting similar laws, so enforcement and penalties for illegal tobacco could tighten across Australia.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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