Macrossan tobacco shop facing up to shutdown order
Cigarette sales
A tobacco shop on Macrossan Street in Port Douglas has been shut down for at least 72 hours by Queensland Health officials.
An Interim Closure Order posted in the shop window on Wednesday, November 5, at 11.30am states the business, at Shop 2, 26-30 Macrossan Street, is suspected of supplying “illicit tobacco or illicit nicotine products.”
“This order takes effect from the time it is served and posted and continues for 72 hours,” the order states.
In September Newsport reported the State Government was aiming to crack down on illegal tobacco sales through legislative changes.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls announced a government blitz on the sale of illicit tobacco and illegal vapes, saying authorities had the power to shut down operations following new laws introduced to parliament.
Health officials, including the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, are taking the lead on the crackdown.
Two months ago there had been no raids carried out in either Douglas Shire Council or Mareeba Shire Council, a CHHHS spokesman confirmed.
The new laws increase maximum penalties to more than $160,000 and a year in jail for landlords who knowingly allow illegal activity to take place.
And Queensland Health has also been given the authority to employ undercover officers to investigate illegal operations.
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