Seventeen million cigarettes, 100,000 vapes and six tonnes of loose tobacco – that’s just some of the illegal product seized since the State Government crackdown started on 1 July last year.

All up, more than $23 million worth of illicit tobacco and vapes have been seized across South Australia since the operation began.

The haul includes:

• 17.2 million cigarettes valued at $13.7 million.
• 105,100 vapes valued at $4.5 million.
• 6 tonnes of loose tobacco valued at $3.1 million.
• 2.3 million cigarette tubes valued at $1.4 million.
• 834 nicotine pouches valued at $25,000.

More than 500 inspections have been conducted around the state with 20 per cent of these taking place in regional South Australia, representing $4 million of the illicit products seized.

The State Government has also issued 33 short-term closure orders and successfully had two long-term closure orders approved by the Magistrates Court for illicit tobacco stores in Salisbury North and Hackham West.

A total of  $16 million has been invested in a new taskforce within Consumer and Business Services from 1 July last year.

The State Government has also introduced some of the toughest penalties of any state or territory in the nation for the sale of illegal vapes and tobacco, with fines of up to $1.5 million for those caught selling.

Legislation has also recently been passed to increase fines to up to $6.6 million for the supply and possession of commercial quantities of illicit tobacco and vapes.