As of 3 November 2025, the NSW Government’s tough new closure order powers came into force.
New closure order powers now allow NSW Health to issue a short-term (up to 90 days) closure order or apply to the Local Court for a long-term (up to 12 months) closure order for premises selling illicit tobacco, or illegal vaping goods, or selling tobacco or non-tobacco smoking products without a valid licence.
Once a closure order is issued, it will be an offence to sell any products from the premises for the period of the closure order, and no one will be able to enter the premises, except those people with an exemption or with a reasonable excuse.
There will be significant penalties for continuing to sell products from premises subject to a closure order or for entering the closed premises without a reasonable excuse or exemption.
New penalties for a range of tobacco retailing offences also commenced on 3 November 2025. This includes new penalties of up to 7 years imprisonment, a fine of $1.54 million, or both for selling illicit tobacco.
Tobacco retailing laws regulate the advertising and display of tobacco products and non-tobacco smoking products, and ban the supply of these products to people under 18. These laws aim to reduce the uptake of smoking, particularly by young people.
Tobacco retailing laws in NSW are in the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2008 and the Public Health (Tobacco) Regulation 2022.
Key requirements in the legislation include:
Tobacco wholesaling laws in NSW are in the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2008 and the Public Health (Tobacco) Regulation 2022
The NSW tobacco licensing scheme commenced on 1 July 2025.
Retailers and wholesalers require a tobacco licence to sell tobacco and non-tobacco smoking products in NSW.
Retailers and wholesalers can apply for a licence using their MyServiceNSW account via the Service NSW website. Licences are subject to criminal record checks, fees, and other government considerations before approval.
A copy of the licence must be conspicuously displayed at the point of sale in a retail store and at the premises of a wholesaler.
From 1 July 2025, the retailer identification number (RIN) system will no longer be operating. Retailers and wholesalers must apply for a tobacco licence to continue trading.
For more information, see Tobacco licensing scheme.
Retailers must display compulsory warning signs in retail outlets where tobacco products, non-tobacco smoking products, or smoking accessories are sold, including vending machines.
Signs can be ordered free of charge by completing the retailer order form, emailing MOH-PopulationHealthResources@health.nsw.gov.au, or by calling 1300 655 957.
NSW Health inspectors monitor compliance with the legislation and can issue warnings, fines, close premises, or initiate prosecutions against retailers that break the law.
The NSW Government's tough new penalties for a range of tobacco retailing offences and closure order powers commenced on 3 November 2025.
For more information, see Penalties and enforcement.
