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Sydney news: NSW Health cracking down on illegal vaping, warning large fines apply

More than $3m of illegal vaping products have seized since July 1, 2020.  (ABC News: Tim Swanston)

Here's what you need to know this morning.

More than $1m worth of illegal nicotine vapes seized

The state government is taking a "zero-tolerance approach" to illegal vaping, announcing it has seized more than $1 million worth of illegal e-cigarettes and liquids this year. 

NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said retailers selling illegal vapes containing nicotine were being put on notice. 

She said young people believed vapes were just "flavoured water", but in reality, they contained poisonous chemicals which could cause life-threatening injuries. 

"[NSW Health is] cracking down on the illegal sale of nicotine e-cigarettes and liquids and taking a zero-tolerance approach to those who sell them," Dr Chant said.

She said raids were conducted regularly on retailers, with more than $3 million worth of illegal-vaping-related products seized since July 1, 2020. 

"You will be caught, illegal items will be seized, and you could face prosecution, resulting in being fined or even jailed," she said. 

Retailers and individuals can also be prosecuted for selling e-cigarette products to minors. 

The fines for offenders are:

  • Individuals: Up to $11,000 for a first offence and up to $55,000 for a second or subsequent offence
  • Corporations: Up to $55,000 for a first offence and up to $110,000 for a second or subsequent offence

Land claim win on historic site

The Yasmar site at Haberfield will be part-owned by the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council. (Supplied: Haberfield Association)

Sydney's Aboriginal community is celebrating a successful land claim on the site of a former juvenile detention centre in the city's inner west.

The 2.5-hectare site, which used to house the Yasmar detention centre on Parramatta Road at Haberfield, will now be part-owned by the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, with the rest remaining crown land.

A heritage house and garden and other buildings on the site will also be transferred to the land council.

Deputy chair Yvonne Weldon said it was a hugely significant site for Aboriginal people.

"To have something in the heart of Sydney or not too far from the CBD, it's very rare for land claims to be granted such as this," she said.

She also said it was a site with a sad history, with many young Indigenous people detained at the Yasmar centre before it was closed down in 2006.

"When we spoke about this at the board meeting the other night, the key part for so many of us is that there needs to be a cleansing," she said.

"And certainly there needs to be a remembrance of the many lives and the pathways and journeys that these Aboriginal people continue to be on because of the roads that led them to there."

Toddler dies after being found in river

The 19-month-old girl was taken to Maclean Hospital but could not be revived. (AAP: Tim Pascoe )

A toddler found in a river on the state's north coast has died.

The 19-month-old was reported missing from a property on the Clarence River, near Grafton, just after 10am yesterday.

The girl was found 20 minutes after local police began searching the property and the surrounding area.

Paramedics performed CPR at the scene before she was taken to Maclean Hospital. However, she could not be revived.

An investigation is underway and a report is being prepared for the coroner. 

Man charged after dog bites police officers 

NSW Police allege the man set his dog on officers (ABC News: Dan Cox)

A man police allege set his dog on officers who then had to be taken to hospital for injuries is due in court today. 

On Sunday afternoon, officers conducted a welfare check on the resident of a Cabramatta West home where the man allegedly confronted them with a pickaxe before dropping the tool. 

Police allege the 46-year-old barricaded himself inside the home and threw a glass bottle through a window which shattered and struck three officers. 

He attempted to set the home on fire before officers forced entry to the property. 

Police allege two officers were taken to Liverpool Hospital after they were bitten by the man's dog. 

They have since returned to work. 

The man was taken to hospital before he was charged with a string of offences including hindering a police officer in the execution of duty. 

He was refused bail and was scheduled to appear at Fairfield Local Court today.

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