Concern about new vape and tobacco stores

Published March 2024

There is significant community concern about two new tobacco and vape stores that have opened in Stonyfell and Marryatville.

I share concerns about these stores including:

• Their proximity to local schools and the potential impact they could have on children (including at St Peter’s Girls’ School and Marryatville Primary School).

• Whether the stores are complying with relevant consumer laws and advertising standards. The store at Stonyfell has a stylised cigarette as its logo and now also appears to be conducting letterbox drops in the local area.

• Whether the stores hold appropriate tobacco and e-cigarette licenses.

I wrote to the Minister for Health about the Stonyfell store who has now confirmed that our concerns have been referred to the relevant regulatory agencies. I have written a further letter to the Minister for Consumer Affairs about the advertising.

This week I highlighted the issue in Parliament. You can read my speech here.

UPDATE

Following my ongoing advocacy, the tobacco store in Stonyfell is one of the first in the State to be issued a Closure Order under new laws. The store will not be able to open for 28 days and there are also strict new penalties if a landlord knowingly allows an illegal tobacco store to continue to operate.

This is a good start and I hope will prevent the store, which concerningly is right next door to a School, from re-opening. I will continue to monitor the situation and push for stores selling illegal tobacco to be shut down for good.

I have been frustrated that despite the Parliament giving the Government significant new powers to shut down illegal tobacco stores, the Minister has been very slow to actually enforce these laws.

The Closure Order came only after I once again raised questions in Parliament this week with the Minister and Commissioner responsible for enforcement. The very next day the Closure Order was issued.

I will keep fighting to ensure illegal tobacco and vape stores are closed for good.

Do you have concerns about this issue? Help me by filling out my short survey below.