72% of Victorians support closure of shops found selling illicit tobacco – shows new data released in same week as National Disruption Group carries out Operation SHORTHAND across Australia
Posted 13 Aug, 2026
Quit and Cancer Council Victoria commend the National Disruption Group’s Operation SHORTHAND undertaken yesterday to disrupt illicit trade in tobacco resulting in raids on more than100 service stations across Australia, including sites in Victoria.
Tobacco Licensing Victoria and Victoria Police were part of 15 federal, state and territory law enforcement and regulatory agencies involved in the multi-jurisdictional operation.
An earlier operation conducted by the National Disruption Group in June in Victoria involving Tobacco Licencing Victoria, Victoria Police and the Sheriff's Office Victoria resulted in:
- Seizure of more than 1.6 million illicit cigarettes, 1.8 tonnes loose-leaf tobacco and more than 5,400 vaping devices
- Seizure of 11,107 nicotine pouches, 2,013 nitrous oxide canisters and more than AUD $71,015 cash
- More than $76,000 in fines and penalties collected from 107 outstanding warrants, and
- Seven persons of interest located with known links to the illicit tobacco trade.
While the recent success of the National Disruption Group’s efforts is encouraging, health groups say that the Victorian Government must continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to the illicit trade in tobacco. Tobacco Licensing Victoria and Victoria Police must be able to shut down retailers caught doing the wrong thing.
Research recently analysed by Cancer Council Victoria found that 72% of Victorian adults believe that shops should be shut straight away if caught selling illegal tobacco, with a similar proportion believing that landlords should be allowed to end leases with shopkeepers caught selling such products.
Cancer Council Victoria CEO, Todd Harper AM, said, “These findings indicate that, in line with our state’s tobacco licensing scheme, Victorians believe that only retailers who strictly comply with state and federal tobacco control laws should be permitted to sell tobacco products.”
“Businesses flouting the rules cannot be allowed to keep their doors open. We must prioritise protecting the public health and safety of our communities across Victoria.” Mr Harper said.
Quit Director, Rachael Andersen added that “Regardless of where you buy tobacco, or how much it costs, smoking causes the death of two out of three lifetime users. And we know that most people who smoke want to quit.”
Quit and Cancer Council Victoria look forward to the Victorian Parliament passing the Consumer Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, currently in final stages of consideration in the Legislative Council. This will amend the Tobacco Act 1987 to strengthen the tobacco licensing scheme, including adding closure order powers. Victoria is the only state in Australia still without such closure powers, allowing retailers to continue trading despite being found to have broken the law.
For free, personalised support to quit nicotine visit quit.org.au or free call 13 7848.