A PARLIAMENTARY inquiry was established on 7 May to report on the illegal tobacco trade in New South Wales.
Among a broad remit, the committee will inquire into links between organised crime syndicates and tobacconists, and the utilisation of money laundering schemes by tobacconists.
The inquiry will also explore the impact of the illegal tobacco trade on small businesses and communities in regional NSW, and consider the introduction of legal protections for landlords who lease to tobacconists.
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh, who serves as the Shadow Minister for Regional Health, said the inquiry had been established after “sustained pressure” from the Coalition.
He said the illegal tobacco trade was having a “major impact” on the health and safety of regional communities while putting enormous pressure on small businesses.
“Not only have we seen deteriorating health outcomes, but we’ve also seen rising crime rates as these gangs try to muscle their way onto the main streets of our cities and towns and intimidate genuine shop owners,” Mr Singh said.
“In regional, remote and rural areas there’s often a lack of capacity to do compliance checks which means this criminal activity is often happening in plain sight.”
NSW Health data shows the number of tobacconists across the state has risen from 14,500 four years ago to more than 19,500 today.
