Three Lake Macquarie unlicensed tobacconists shut for three months after illicit tobacco and vape seizure

newy.com.au – Three unlicensed tobacconists in Toronto, Swansea and Warners Bay have been issued three-month closure notices after a joint Lake Macquarie police and NSW Health operation seized illicit tobacco and vaping products.

The October compliance blitz followed complaints to both agencies and was aimed at tackling growing concerns about illegal tobacco and vaping devices being readily available in the community.

Police said officers from Lake Macquarie Police District worked with the NSW Health Centre for Regulation and Enforcement during targeted inspections between Tuesday 21 October 2025 and Thursday 23 October 2025.

A total of 22 tobacco retail premises were inspected, with three found to be operating without a licence, police said.

During the inspections, police located and seized 6,396 vaping devices, 593,910 illicit cigarettes and 53 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco, with an estimated retail value of $914,179.

Following further inquiries, Lake Macquarie Licensing Police assisted NSW Health Centre for Regulation and Enforcement on Thursday 12 February 2026 to issue three closure notices under the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2008 for a three-month period.

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