Landlords in illegal tobacco, vape store firing line

Landlords are in the firing line as the NSW government begins shutting down illegal tobacco stores. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)

Landlords who knowingly allow illegal tobacco and vape stores to operate on their premises face prison time as a nicotine crackdown continues.

In its latest push to curb a surging underground tobacco and vape market, the NSW government will move a bill that would punish the landlords with up to one year of imprisonment or a fine of up to $165,000.