Government’s crackdown on illegal tobacco passes despite Liberal obstruction

Businesses and health experts alike have long called for a tobacco licensing scheme to stamp out illegal tobacco as well as ensure fairness for retailers doing the right thing.

And we’re backing this initiative in with tougher penalties on illegal tobacco and the people who push it.

After 12 years of inaction from the Liberals, NSW is the last jurisdiction to implement a tobacco licensing scheme.

NSW should not have to wait any longer.

It is really disappointing that the Liberals would obstruct the implementation of this scheme.

It is shameful that the Liberals would deliberately seek to delay reforms designed to target and weed out bad actors in this space.

All while the threat of violence in other jurisdictions looms.

If it were up to the Liberals, the tobacco licensing scheme could have been delayed by months.

If it were up to the Liberals, illegal tobacco would be allowed to circulate in our communities, in our suburbs, in our schools for longer.

Today, the Liberals sought to stand in the way of safety, integrity and fairness, and they should be embarrassed.