A new tobacconist has been spotted setting up shop at 140 Terralong Street, across the road from Kiama Village where the ‘Framed By Us’ picture framer’s shop was until two months ago.



The new business, Kiama Tobacco, is adorned with a multicoloured flashing neon sign that lights up the roundabout leading into Kiama Village. The vivid lights have already attracted the attention of locals, as The Bugle spotted Kiama High School students taking photos of the neon sign this morning.

The sign advertises, “tobacco and accessories,” which often means e-cigarettes and vape products, though there is nothing that specifically indicates that Kiama Tobacco will sell vape products at this stage.

The opening of a new tobacconist is surprising given the impending introduction of legislation from the Commonwealth Government to crack down on tobacco and vape sales. 

From 1 April, the general sale of vapes that contain nicotine will be banned, and the only way they can be purchased is from pharmacists with a doctor’s prescription.

Even with these restrictions just over a month away from being introduced, the number of businesses selling vape products in NSW has skyrocketed. Research obtained by The Guardian found that more than 600 additional shops began selling vape products in the first half of 2023.

Even with the importation of disposable vapes banned at the start of 2024, reports of businesses continuing to sell these products has continued. The number of complaints the NSW Health Department received related to tobacco and e-cigarettes increased from 909 in 2020 to 2,407 in 2022. Between 1 January 2023 and 30 June 2023, there were 1,654 reports of non-compliance.

Receiving approval to sell tobacco products in NSW is easier than selling other restricted products such as alcohol or firearms. Businesses must notify NSW Health of their intention and register their details with Service NSW to receive a retailer identification number, which they must provide to tobacco wholesalers to obtain products. Businesses do not require a DA or permission from council before selling tobacco products.

Additional research thanks to Malcolm King