More than 1,400 illicit tobacco closures as authorities crack down on Australia's black market

More than 1,400 shops have been shut across Australia as authorities intensify their campaign against a multibillion-dollar illicit tobacco trade linked to organised crime, money laundering and deadly violence. New figures reveal at least 1,436 closure orders, notices and reported shutdowns across five states since November last year, with 348 orders still in force this week.

The scale of the crackdown underscores just how deeply the illegal trade has embedded itself into everyday retail, sweeping up not only tobacconists but convenience stores, supermarkets, newsagents, gift shops and even barbershops.

State by state: Where the illicit tobacco closures are hitting hardest

New South Wales has recorded the highest number of closure orders nationally. Since new enforcement powers came into effect on 3 November last year, the state has issued 523 orders, with 123 still in force as of 30 October.

South Australia issued 281 closure orders between November last year and early October this year, comprising 279 short-term 28-day orders and two 12-month orders. Twenty of those remain active, though the state has declined to name the affected businesses, citing operational reasons. The orders cover premises from Port Adelaide and Campbelltown to Craigmore and Seaview Downs.

Victoria has issued 118 closure notices since its new powers took effect on 9 September, and all 118 were still listed as active on the state's public register as of 27 October.

Western Australia's Department of Health confirmed 96 closures in total, with 38 premises subject to active orders as of 3 November, including one storage unit. Western Australia's list includes three barbershops: Boss Barber in Wembley, Blessed Cutz in central Perth and Lux Barber Shop in Cockburn Central. Other named premises include Bassendean Convenience and Gift Store, Rockingham Convenience and Tobacconist, BP Market in Victoria Park and specialty store Freo's Finest in Fremantle.

In Queensland, 49 premises are currently subject to closure orders. Named businesses include Freechoice Tobacconist at Toowoomba's Grand Central Shopping Centre, EZMART Southport on the Gold Coast, Cairns One Tropical in far north Queensland, Kingaroy Mart in the South Burnett region, Tobacco Shed in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley, American Candy and Accessories in Mackay, and Allora Convenience Store and Tobacconist in the Southern Downs. Queensland Health said its enforcement laws had prevented millions of illegal smoking products from reaching consumers.

A trade that reaches into every corner of retail

The breadth of business types caught up in the crackdown signals that illicit tobacco has become far more than a tobacconist problem. The fact that barbershops and gift stores are appearing on closure registers points to a rapidly expanding black market that has diversified well beyond traditional retail channels. The closures span major city shopping centres and small country towns alike, stretching from far north Queensland to outer suburban Perth.

Federal and state agencies have also been running coordinated operations. Operation TEMPEST targeted illicit tobacco and vaping networks across Victoria and Tasmania in June, while a separate sweep focused on Western Australia and the Northern Territory in September.

Northern Territory and ACT lag behind on enforcement powers

Not all jurisdictions are equipped with the same tools. The Northern Territory's Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations confirmed it currently lacks the legislative powers to issue closure orders against retailers found stocking illicit tobacco or vaping products. The department said it instead works collaboratively with NT Police, NT Health and the Australian Border Force on compliance activities.

Queensland Health noted it is also working to reduce consumer demand by offering free support to smokers and vapers through the Quitline service, alongside its enforcement efforts.

With hundreds of orders still active and new closures continuing to be recorded, authorities show no sign of easing the pressure on what has become one of Australia's most lucrative and dangerous black markets.