A Victorian retailer has been fined $1.5 million following a significant court case related to Queensland's largest illegal tobacco seizure. Paolo Timpano, the director of Tobacco Shed Pty Ltd, pleaded guilty to 50 charges in the Emerald Magistrates Court on Friday. The charges involved the retail sale of illicit tobacco, nicotine vapes, candy-flavored cigarettes, bongs, and loose-leaf tobacco. These charges arose from multiple seizures conducted across Central Queensland and the Gold Coast.

Prosecutor Kim Bryson recommended a fine of $200,000, but Magistrate Cameron McKenzie imposed a penalty more than seven times that amount. "The penalty must be reflective of the criminality of the offending," Magistrate McKenzie stated. He emphasized that the fine should serve as a deterrent to others involved in the illegal tobacco and vape product trade. The magistrate noted that the charges likely did not fully represent the extent of the illegal sales conducted by the defendant. He expressed concern that these sales could negatively impact legitimate businesses in the area, calling it "improper and unjust."

The court heard that the Australian government has strict regulations regarding tobacco products to protect public health. The charges followed an operation aimed at targeting tobacco stores selling illicit products. During six raids, authorities seized a substantial amount of illegal merchandise, including 6,609 vapes, 231 bongs, and 1,074 bong components. Additionally, they confiscated 95 bottles of isobutyl nitrate, 165 cannabis-related products, 213,560 illicit cigarettes (equivalent to 10,664 packets), 25.05 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco, and 11,340 flavored cigarettes (about 567 packets).

Angela Rea, the environmental health manager for Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, stated that the goal of the operation was to remove as much illegal product from the market as possible. She noted that while the products claimed to contain no nicotine, laboratory tests revealed otherwise. "These were all fruit-flavored products, so they were more targeted at young people than older people," Rea said, highlighting the dangers of these vapes, especially for youth.

Since last year, the Australian government has allocated $350 million to combat the growing illegal tobacco trade. In October, it was announced that a National Disruption Group would be established, led by the Australian Border Force and involving various state and federal agencies. Rea pointed out that illegal products do not pay GST or excise taxes and do not meet the same health standards as legitimate products. She urged consumers to purchase only from registered businesses to ensure their safety and compliance with health regulations.