Health authorities have seized more than $2.75 million in illegal smoking products following a major crackdown across the Gold Coast.
Officials conducted more than 170 inspections of retail outlets over the last financial year.
More than 1.7 million illicit cigarettes, 314 kilograms of loose tobacco, 25,500 vapes and 26,000 nicotine pouches were seized from across the city.
Retailers have been slapped with $5.3 million in fines while officers issued eight notices forcing stores to close for three days because of non-compliance.
“GCPHU officers executed 131 more enforcement actions, including written warnings, improvement notices, on-the-spot fines, seizures, and legal proceedings, compared to the previous year,” a Gold Coast Health spokesperson said.
“There is increased retail surveillance and response to a growing number of community complaints in conjunction with enforcement agency partners.
“The prevalence of illicit tobacco products, particularly vape use among minors remains a concern.”
