Australia’s harshest penalties for supplying illegal cigarettes and vapes have been passed by the Queensland government.

Amendments to the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998 mean retailers may face up to two years in prison and fines of up to $I.6 million.

Businesses will also face lengthy closures. Indeed, Queensland is the first state in the country to allow authorities to close a business for up to six months if they continue to sell illicit tobacco or vape products or operate without a smoking product licence.

“We make no apologies and will do everything we can to protect Queenslanders, especially kids, from the harms of smoking and vaping,” minister for health Shannon Fentiman said. “It’s why we are putting smoking product retailers on notice – if you believe you can illegally sell cigarettes or vapes, think again. You will face some of the most severe penalties in Australia, including jail time.”

Evidence shows vaping rates have increased significantly in Queensland, with the number of school students trying e-cigarettes doubling since 2017.

“Smoking in any form carries serious health risks like lung and heart damage, which is why we need strong action like these tough new laws,” Fentiman said.

A licensing scheme to further regulate the sale of smoking products in Queensland also took effect this month with unlicensed businesses facing court penalties of up to $161,300 for an individual or $806,500 for a corporation. To date, around 4,750 licences have been granted.

“I welcome these laws. They are critical in our efforts to keep vapes and other illicit smoking products out of our corner shops,” Queensland chief health officer Dr John Gerrad said. “If these products do make their way across our borders and into stores, Queensland’s new laws and their tougher penalties will make it much easier for us to remove them and take enforcement action against retailers.”