Hornsby tobacconist fined more than $1 million for selling cheap cigs, vapes

After defying a NSW Health order to shut its doors, a Hornsby tobacconist has been fined $1.18 million. 

What happened: In November, Hornsby Tobacconist on Station Street was ordered by NSW Health to close after it was found to be one of the hundreds of stores in Sydney selling illegal cigarettes. 

A raid on the store by NSW Health saw the seizure of around 155 cartons of illegal cigarettes, 6kg of loose leaf tobacco (chop chop), 195 nicotine pouches and 817 vaping goods.

But according to NSW Health, the store continued to trade after being ordered to close. The state agency took the tobacconist to court in May for selling tobacco without a licence, and possession and sale of illicit tobacco, non-tobacco smoking products and vaping goods.

Major prosecution: It is one of the first major fines handed down to a tobacconist since new laws targeting the sale of discount tobacco were introduced by the Minns government in November. 

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the prosecution was significant because “the shop ignored closure orders and continued to trade”, and “was located in a busy commercial area frequented by commuters and children”.

“There’s currently 16 more prosecutions before the courts and many more NSW Health are currently working on”.

Image: NSW Health