Tobacco and Other Smoking Products (Dismantling Illegal Trade) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025

Spoke in support as Minister for Small and Family Business, arguing the bill protects legitimate small retailers who have been undercut and intimidated by illegal operators selling illicit tobacco and vapes.

“For decades, small and family business operators who have been doing the right thing in their local communities were forced to operate under Labor's soft-on-crime approach and when action was taken it became a false hope.”— 2025-11-19View Hansard

As Minister for Health, moved the second reading and outlined the bill's comprehensive measures to dismantle the illicit tobacco and vaping trade, including extended closure powers, landlord accountability, controlled purchase operations and compromised goods seizure powers.

“This bill is the Crisafulli government's latest escalation in its war against rogue tobacco and vape traders. Queenslanders expect a strong, coordinated response to illicit tobacco and vaping products, and the most recent enforcement results show clearly why these reforms are needed.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the bill while noting it continues work begun under the previous Labor government. Emphasised the need for expanded investment in prevention and cessation programs for young people alongside enforcement.

“The Labor Opposition will always support expert backed reforms that improve Queenslander's health and continue to aid in reducing smoking rates, especially among young Queenslanders.”— 2025-11-19View Hansard

Led the opposition's contribution, confirming Labor supports the bill as it builds on the strong framework Labor established in government. Emphasised Labor's record on tobacco reform while warning the government to ensure enforcement funding translates into visible action.

“Labor supports this bill. We do so because, unlike the pill-testing ban and the gender services cessation to new patients in Queensland, this bill is actually grounded in public health evidence.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Spoke from personal experience of nicotine addiction starting at age 15, and from his role as a former school-based police officer witnessing vaping proliferation in schools. Praised the bill's enforcement powers.

“When I think back to myself at 15—somewhat naive and impressionable doing something silly that turned into eight years of addiction—I cannot help but think of the kids today being targeted by organised crime.”— 2025-11-19View Hansard

Spoke as a member of the Health, Environment and Innovation Committee that reviewed the bill, highlighting the impacts of illicit tobacco and vaping in Redcliffe, particularly near schools, and commending the bill's strengthened closure powers and landlord accountability provisions.

“Changing short-term closure orders from 72 hours to three months is a key component of this bill, as is extending the current interim closure order from 72 hours to three months. This will be a game changer.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the bill while highlighting decades of Labor government action on tobacco reduction. Stressed the need to continue evolving legislation and investing in school-based education to address vaping normalisation among young people.

“We need to be coming back to this sort of legislation on a regular basis so that we can combat the significant money that is put into this very profitable business.”— 2025-11-19View Hansard

Supported the bill as a continuation of Labor's strong record on tobacco reform, sharing personal experiences of family members affected by smoking and noting the bill builds on the foundations Labor established including closure orders and enforcement powers.

“The Labor opposition will not be opposing this bill because any measure to increase the health and safety of Queenslanders and reduce our children's exposure to dangerous vapes is a welcome one.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the bill, focusing on how illicit tobacco trade provides a foothold for criminal gangs in regional centres like Toowoomba and impacts legitimate local businesses.

“Taking away the financial benefit that they can gain from running these businesses is really important.”— 2025-11-19View Hansard

Spoke in strong support, highlighting local enforcement success in Hervey Bay where six illegal tobacco stores were ordered closed, and contrasted the government's record with what he described as Labor's soft approach to the illicit tobacco trade.

“The Crisafulli government's strong record in just one year is in glaring contrast to a decade of Labor's faint-hearted approach to the illicit nicotine trade.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the bill as a committee member, highlighting the explosion of illegal tobacco and vape shops in West End near schools and the escalation of organised crime violence. Noted the bill addresses community frustration with illegal operators reopening after short closures.

“Such disregard for the law cannot be ignored. Queenslanders need and deserve tangible action from government to disrupt and end this blatant criminal behaviour.”— 2025-11-19View Hansard

Supported the bill as a nurse with decades of experience seeing tobacco harms. Defended Labor's legislative record on tobacco reform and welcomed the nitrous oxide amendments, noting his advocacy on the issue. Criticised attempts to politicise what should be bipartisan reform.

“These provisions will do a number of things. They will effectively interrupt the capacity of retail shopfronts to sell illegal vapes and tobacco.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the bill as the next stage in a clear timeline of action, noting the scale of seizures under the Crisafulli government and the structural and economic reforms the bill delivers to address the illicit market.

“Queenslanders expect timely and effective action in response to emerging public health risks.”— 2025-11-19View Hansard

Offered full support for the bill, outlining its key provisions including extended closure orders, landlord accountability, compromised goods seizure, executive officer liability and the nitrous oxide amendments.

“This bill represents a decisive and necessary step to tackle the challenges posed by the illicit tobacco and vaping market in Queensland as well as to address the growing and deeply concerning misuse of nitrous oxide in our communities.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the bill as an extension of Labor's earlier reforms. Highlighted school-based education programs like Blurred Minds and urged bipartisan cooperation with the federal government on border control of illicit products.

“No-one has the high moral ground on this issue.”— 2025-11-19View Hansard

Supported the bill as a continuation of Labor's work, raising constituent concerns about tobacconists opening near schools in Sandgate and the marketing of products to children. Criticised the minister's office for a copy-and-paste response to her correspondence.

“This bill is a much needed crackdown on illegal activity in the tobacco industry and an important continuation of Labor's work.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the bill as Attorney-General, highlighting the devastating impact of illicit tobacco shops on legitimate regional businesses in Kingaroy and Maryborough and contrasting the government's enforcement record with Labor's.

“Under Labor's three-day interim closures, we have seen just 657 days of closures this year for shops dealing in these illicit products. Under our new toughened laws, the interim closures will be extended to three months.”— 2025-11-19View Hansard

Spoke in support, highlighting the economic, crime and public health dimensions of the illicit tobacco trade in the Redlands, including raids that seized $836,000 in cash and millions of cigarettes. Noted the role of federal taxes in driving consumers to illegal products.

“The dangers for innocent bystanders and other legitimate businesses that come when organised crime is invited into our suburbs are not something that I or this government will accept.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the bill, sharing personal experience of losing both parents and mother-in-law to smoking-related diseases. Emphasised bipartisan committee work on earlier vaping inquiry and criticised LNP for ignoring health experts in other policy areas.

“I want to make it clear that the Labor opposition will support all expert backed reforms that put the health and safety of Queenslanders first.”— 2025-11-19View Hansard

Supported the bill drawing on her policing background, acknowledging that ongoing legislative reform is necessary to keep pace with organised crime. Raised concerns about the training and safety of public health officers conducting controlled purchase operations.

“I have absolutely no doubt that in the next 18 months, two years or three years we will be back to introduce more legislation because we will need to.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the bill, highlighting reports of illegal tobacco sales and suspicious behaviour in her electorate from Bribie Island to Beachmere. Welcomed the minister's amendments to address nitrous oxide misuse among young people.

“Families in my electorate have raised serious concerns about the easy availability of nangs in our community.”— 2025-11-19View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill, recounting his advocacy against vaping as a Gold Coast city councillor since 2021. Highlighted local seizure figures and called on the federal government and local councils to also take action.

“I am so pleased that we now have a government that is prepared to not only drive a change in culture and attitude through education but also deliver a proper public health response to a scourge gripping our young people.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the bill, sharing personal experience of losing her mother to lung cancer. Cited statistics showing illicit tobacco now represents over 50 per cent of total consumption in Australia and stressed the role of organised crime in fuelling violence.

“I am pleased that this bill will reduce harm and save lives by stamping out the illicit tobacco and vape trade.”— 2025-11-19View Hansard

Supported the bill, emphasising that addiction should be treated as a health issue. Praised the landlord provisions and nitrous oxide amendments, and drew parallels between the evidence-based approach in this bill and the need for similar approaches on other health issues.

“This is a good bill because it is backed by evidence, and that is why we support it.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the bill as a committee member, sharing that both his parents died from smoking-related illnesses. Emphasised the strengthened closure order powers and measures addressing commercial landlords' role in the black market.

“This bill will protect public health, level the playing field for law-abiding retailers and also deliver a direct hit to the profit margins of illegal traders.”— 2025-11-19View Hansard

Spoke in strong support, highlighting the impact on small businesses in Keppel such as a Yeppoon tobacconist that had to lay off staff due to black market competition, and outlined local seizure figures from Central Queensland enforcement operations.

“These reforms matter because behind every illegal vape and every illicit packet of tobacco is another Queensland youngster being targeted or, as I was speaking about earlier, a small business who is being undercut and a community health system that is left carrying the burden.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Acknowledged concern about black market tobacco and vapes but expressed scepticism about the enforcement-only approach. Argued the bill's expanded powers risk repeating the failed war on drugs and called for greater investment in harm reduction, cessation services and affordable nicotine replacement therapies.

“The government can keep trying to plug the holes, but until our focus and resources are funnelled into evidence-based demand and harm reduction strategies, black markets will continue to find a foothold.”— 2025-11-19View Hansard

Supported the bill, sharing the personal story of her father who smoked from age 12 and died of lung cancer shortly before retirement. Highlighted arson attacks on tobacconists in her electorate and the devastating impact on neighbouring businesses.

“My father, after smoking for almost 60 years, was diagnosed with lung cancer literally two weeks before he was due to retire. We lost him 10 months later.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the bill from his experience as a former police officer, noting that lucrative profits attract criminal gangs to illicit tobacco. Highlighted firebombings in his electorate and commended extended closure powers.

“Make no mistake, this is a very important aspect of crime that is happening right across Queensland.”— 2025-11-19View Hansard

Spoke in strong support, providing detailed local seizure figures from the Mackay region and outlining the bill's key enforcement measures including extended closures, landlord penalties, controlled purchase operations and nitrous oxide provisions.

“This bill dismantles the business model that makes illicit tobacco and vaping profitable. It cuts criminals off at the source—their premises, their leases, their finances and their supply chains.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the bill as building on decades of harm minimisation foundations. Noted the bill addresses lessor obligations and expanded closure powers but cautioned that illicit retailers may adapt to mobile or freehold models.

“Every community has these retailers operating unlawfully. They are not only competing with lawful retailers but also undermining the great public health messaging and the frameworks that are in place to protect vulnerable members of our community including our young people.”— 2025-11-19View Hansard

Spoke as a committee member in support of the bill, noting that medical experts had warned about vaping products since 2020 but were not listened to. Highlighted that more than half of tobacco products are now illegally sourced and that tobacco is more widely available than fuel.

“This legislation will also give Queensland the strongest laws in Australia against illegal operators, such as expanding interim closures from three days to three months and doubling long-term closures, as well as enabling the cancellation of leases.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the bill, reading extensively from local Gympie businesses affected by illicit tobacco shops, including reports of firebombings, intimidation, drug dealing and vandalism near these stores.

“Constituents and businesses frequently raise with me their concerns about vaping shops, under-age users, the black market in products and its attraction to criminal activities.”— 2025-11-19View Hansard

Spoke in support, highlighting the impact of illegal tobacco shops in Townsville and providing local seizure figures. Emphasised the bill's stronger closure powers, landlord accountability provisions and controlled purchase operations.

“This bill takes the fight against illegal tobacco products to the next level and sends one very clear message to rogue operators who target our kids and undermine public health: their illegal business will not be tolerated.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the bill, highlighting the devastating impact on regional businesses including the closure of the Cignall in Dalby and lost trade at the Tara IGA. Contrasted government enforcement figures with Labor's record.

“Under Labor's soft laws public health officers could not even issue on-the-spot fines for stores selling vapes.”— 2025-11-19View Hansard

Supported the bill as a continuation of Labor's positive work on public health, outlining the key measures and emphasising Labor's record including the 2023 licensing scheme, the vaping inquiry and $22 million in enforcement funding.

“The Labor opposition will always back the continuity of this positive work, which is why we will support the bill. This especially applies to health measures backed by the experts in the field.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the bill, highlighting the impact on legitimate small businesses in Mundubbera, Gayndah, Chinchilla and Miles who have lost trade to illegal operators. Noted a case of nearly a million dollars in cash linked to illicit tobacco trade.

“The real travesty of this problem is that legitimate small business owners who are licensed to operate in this state and across the nation... are now having their livelihoods threatened and taken away from them.”— 2025-11-19View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill, particularly the landlord accountability provisions which he had advocated for since 2023. Tabled correspondence showing he had written to the former health minister and the Federal Police commissioner urging action against complicit landlords.

“I am quite certain that once vigorous prosecution has occurred with a systematic campaign of prosecution to culpably involved landlords they will very quickly get the idea that you do not rent to these guys.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Replied as Minister for Health, welcoming bipartisan support and defending the bill as going far beyond Labor's earlier framework. Detailed enforcement outcomes including record seizures and fines, and introduced amendments adding nitrous oxide as compromised goods.

“It is genuinely pleasing to see bipartisan support for the urgent and decisive action this bill delivers. It is clear that the parliament is indeed united in its determination to protect Queenslanders from the significant harm caused by illicit tobacco and vapes.”— 2025-11-19View Hansard

Supported the bill while defending Labor's record, noting that Labor passed two laws and held a parliamentary inquiry on the issue. Criticised the LNP for accepting $44,000 in donations from the vaping lobby while claiming to crack down on vaping.

“The Labor opposition will always support good, considered reforms that are based on evidence, that are backed by sensible expert advice and that are designed to practically improve the health of Queenslanders.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the bill as part of her Secure Redlands campaign, highlighting local enforcement results in the metro south region and the impact on legitimate small businesses suffering from arson, break-ins and intimidation by illegal traders.

“This bill gives Queensland Health the strongest enforcement powers in the country to shut down illicit tobacco and vape markets.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the bill, raising concerns about vape and tobacco shops opening near schools including near a dance studio, high school and bus stop. Called for exclusion zones to prevent these stores from operating near schools and urged local governments to strengthen planning laws.

“Parents are absolutely crying out for stronger reforms and exclusion zones around schools and areas that children frequent.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Spoke in support, highlighting the impact in Rockhampton where 35 students were expelled from a school in 2023 for vaping. Commended the minister and Cancer Council Queensland, and noted recent Central Queensland enforcement actions including a $1.5 million fine.

“The organised crime groups, complicit retailers, complicit landlords and company fronts that peddle this illegal rubbish to our communities are predators that now, thanks to this bill, will receive the message that their chop-chop shops are about to get the chop.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard

Supported the bill as necessary and overdue, describing the illicit tobacco market as a $3.4 billion national industry funding criminal networks. Emphasised that the opposition supports giving lessors the right to terminate leases and stronger enforcement powers.

“Let me be clear from the outset: the Labor opposition supports expert-backed reforms that protect public health. We always have and we always will.”— 2025-11-18View Hansard