<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Two illicit tobacco stores in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/sydney" rel="" target="_blank" title="Sydney's "><span>Sydney's</span></a><span> North Shore have been shut down as the state government's crackdown on the costly industry begins.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Minister for Health Ryan Park announced this morning two stores in St Leonards were shut down after the government applied new powers allowing them to shut down stores suspected of selling illicit tobacco and vapes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In an image sent to 9news.com.au, a paper notice on the front of one of the stores stated the closure would last until February 2, 2026.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/trent-merrin-former-nrl-star-alleged-fraud-charges/6b3ba774-d66a-4685-8347-cdbc947b805c" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Ex-NRL star arrested at Barrack Point home</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Inspectors seized nearly 4000 illicit cigarettes and 224 illegal vapes during searches on the two shops, with the government subsequently issuing a closure order.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>These last for 90 days, with the local court being able to make a long-term closure of up to a year if investigators find a larger-scale breach has occurred.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Park hinted this was just the beginning of a longer and sustained program that the government hopes will tackle the illicit tobacco trade in Sydney.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/new-south-wales-australia-tobacco-stores-closed/3d3ba543-fb5a-4c3f-80f1-a4ca95edb330" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We have begun raiding and temporarily shutting down a number of shopfronts suspected of not complying with our tough new tobacco and vaping laws," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This will take some time as we ramp up our closure activities, but this is just the beginning. More will follow in the coming days, weeks and months."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As well as targeted raids on stores involved in the illicit tobacco trade, greater fines and penalties will now be given to people and companies who fall foul of the law.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/shonkys-awards-choice-names-commonwealth-bank-temu-hcf-energy-retailers/100afa9c-2325-4462-a1ec-e1618e6d8c6a" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>The 'winners' of an award nobody wants have been revealed</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Fines have now increased to a maximum of $660,000 for individuals and $880,000 for a corporation if caught selling tobacco without a licence.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>For those found to be in commercial possession of illicit tobacco, the fine could reach $1.54 million, or an individual could face up to seven years imprisonment.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant insists the measures are meant to protect the health and safety of people in New South Wales.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable death and disease in our community," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The new closure powers are another key tool to ensure we act swiftly and gain stronger oversight of the illicit tobacco and illegal trade to help protect public health."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f"><em><strong><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></strong></em></a><em><strong><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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