Home / Crime and Justice / ACT Raids Tackle Illegal Tobacco After Long Wait
ACT Raids Tackle Illegal Tobacco After Long Wait
24 Apr
Summary
- ACT regulators and police conducted multiple raids on illegal tobacco shops.
- Property owner Helen Tan expressed frustration over the delayed response.
- ACT ranked second last in a report on stopping illicit tobacco.
Recent raids across Canberra mark a significant, albeit delayed, response to the widespread sale of illegal tobacco. ACT regulators and police have finally taken action following persistent concerns raised by residents like Helen Tan, a commercial strata secretary who highlighted the issue over two years ago.
Tan's insurance premiums increased by 120% due to a shop renting to a tobacconist, a reaction to the volatile tobacco turf wars seen in other states. Despite her efforts to alert authorities, she faced initial disinterest, with police and fair trading offices claiming no such issues existed in the ACT.
The raids, a joint operation involving the Australian Border Force, ACT Policing, and Access Canberra, come after a report by the Australian Council on Smoking and Health placed the ACT second-to-last in combating illicit tobacco. The report criticized the territory's lack of strong penalties and enforcement.
ACT's Attorney-General Tara Cheyne acknowledged the need for inter-agency coordination, stating the operation required intelligence from the Border Force. While she called the timing a coincidence, she emphasized the importance of protecting public health and supporting legitimate businesses. Tobacco licensing laws were strengthened in December 2025, with further reforms planned for 2026.
