NARRABRI Shire Council and Glen Innes Severn Shire Council have joined the stand against the illegal tobacco trade.

Narrabri Shire Council will write to NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to formally express its serious concerns regarding the unlawful sale of tobacco product from

tobacconist premises within the Narrabri Local Government Area and across the north-western region, and request DPHI urgently consider introducing a new stand-alone land-use definition for “Tobacconist” and exclude tobacconists from existing definitions of “shop”, “retail premises” and “specialised retail premises”.

Council will also ask the DPHI to create transitional provisions deeming existing tobacconist premises as having development consent to certain conditions.

The NSW Government has launched a parliamentary inquiry into the fast-growing illegal tobacco trade.

A parliamentary inquiry into illegal tobacco trade has been established and referred to the Legislative Council Committee on Justice and Communities.

Recent incidents highlight the severity of the illegal tobacco trade including a truck roll-over near Grafton on Sunday where 2.5 tonnes of illegal tobacco were uncovered.

Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan has been pushing for action on the expanding industry and questioned the lack of enforcement of vaping laws in New South Wales.

Mr Moylan said the number of illegal tobacconists operating has exploded and they pose a huge risk to community health and safety, particularly to the region’s youth.

“Data from NSW Health shows a huge rise in the number of tobacconists across NSW; from 14,500 four years ago to 19,500 today,” Mr Moylan said.

“These illegal operations particularly affect regional and rural areas, like the Northern Tablelands, where there’s limited resources to conduct compliance checks and they are being sold to young people.

“Illegal tobacco trade has also been linked with an increase in crime across New South Wales.

“The inquiry will force the government to look at the impact of the tobacco trade on small businesses and communities and the failures to address the sale of illegal and counterfeit cigarettes.”

Glen Innes Severn Council has also taken a decisive stand against the growing threat of the illegal tobacco trade, following a resolution passed at the June Council meeting.

The resolution directs Council to prepare a formal submission to the NSW Legislative Council’s ahead of the August 1 deadline.

The submission will include evidence from local businesses in Glen Innes directly impacted by the illegal tobacco market, demonstrating the severity of the issue and the need for immediate action.

Mayor Margot Davis said illegal tobacco undermines local businesses, evades tax and funds organised crime.

“Council is committed to speaking up for our community and highlighting the very real impact this illicit trade is having on our town and more broadly the region,” Cr Davis said.

In addition to its own submission, Glen Innes Severn Council is calling on neighbouring councils in the Northern Tablelands and New England regions to join the campaign by either making their own submissions or formally supporting Glen Innes Severn’s advocacy.

“This is not just a local issue – it’s become more and more a problem across the region,” Cr Davis said.

“Council is taking a leadership role and urging our regional partners to stand with us. A co-ordinated response will send a stronger message to government that rural and regional communities will not tolerate the unchecked spread of illegal tobacco.”