GOVERNMENT MUST ACT TO STAMP OUT ILLICIT SALES

IT is time more powers were given to Queensland authorities to take action against illicit tobacco sales. The tobacco industry is reeling under the constant threat that the underbelly will take over in the North. Shops selling chop chop, tobacco grown in Australia, and foreign cigarettes brought into the country illegally, are putting lawful business owners at risk of losing it all.

But while it is illegal to import or grow the tobacco, it is not technically illegal to sell it in Queensland.

Business owners are demanding change to protect their employees, their assets and their future in the industry.

With problems rife in the southern states and the southeast, the tobacco

Business owners are demanding change to protect … the industry.

industry in the North know it needs to get ahead of the game to ensure more businesses are not severely impacted by the trade of illicit tobacco.

With multiple shops already operating in Townsville, something needs to be done to ensure the trade, which benefits organised crime, cannot continue.

According to the industry, Queensland Police need to be given more power and licensing regulations around the sale of tobacco need to change.

While it seems like the government is taking steps towards that, something must change soon so North Queensland businesses are not left dealing with the fallout alone.