New Laws Target Illegal Tobacco and Vapes in Western Australia
Western Australia has taken a significant step in its fight against the illegal tobacco and vaping trade with the introduction of tough new laws. These measures have led to the first closure of a business under the new regulations, marking a turning point in the state’s approach to tackling illicit products.
The legislation came into effect earlier this week, making it an offence for stores to sell, supply, or possess illegal tobacco or vaping products. Authorities, including WA police and the Department of Health, now have the power to shut down premises involved in such activities. The penalties for those caught breaking the law have also been increased, with maximum fines reaching $4.2 million for individuals and $21 million for companies, along with potential imprisonment of up to 15 years.
First Closure Under New Regulations
A Kalgoorlie barber shop became the first store in the state to be ordered to close under these new laws. The store was raided on the same day the legislation took effect, resulting in the seizure of nearly 2000 illegal cigarettes and about three kilograms of loose tobacco. Video footage from the raid shows officers entering the premises and speaking with a woman who appears to be serving customers. The walls are lined with products, and police escort her into a back room before searching the property and even going through garbage bins at the rear of the premises.
There is no sound on the video, and the source does not suggest any illegal activity by the woman featured in the footage. However, the incident highlights the aggressive enforcement of the new laws.
Widespread Impact of the Raids
Following the implementation of the new laws, six additional stores have also been issued with closure orders. This includes one store in Bunbury and five from the metropolitan area. The raids have been conducted by WA Health’s Tobacco Compliance Unit in partnership with WA police. To date, the operation has resulted in the seizure of nearly 142,000 illegal cigarettes, 5.2 kilograms of loose tobacco, and more than 600 vapes.
Minister for Health Meredith Hammat praised the efforts of the Tobacco Compliance Unit, stating that the first three days of the laws being enforced revealed the scale of illegal tobacco and vapes in WA. “WA Health’s Tobacco Compliance Unit is wasting no time using these tough new laws to keep our community safe,” she said. “The results from the first 72 hours of these laws being in effect should serve as a serious warning to those dodgy operators still engaging in this dangerous trade.”
Operation Maverick and Legal Consequences
Minister for Police Reece Whitby highlighted how Operation Maverick, a police taskforce aimed at disrupting organized criminal activity linked to the illicit tobacco and vape trade, is working effectively. He warned that anyone ignoring the new laws will face consequences. “If anyone is ignoring our new laws, then let these first days of action be a message to you – if you’re selling or storing illicit tobacco in Western Australia, you will be caught and your store will be shut down through these new closure order powers.”
The new laws are designed to hit criminal operations hard, with immediate results in seizing tobacco, cigarettes, and vapes while preventing stores from re-opening the next day.
Ongoing Challenges and Criticisms
Despite the government’s claims that the new laws are among the toughest in the nation, an Australian Council on Smoking and Health investigation recently found WA ranked fourth in the country over its handling of illegal tobacco. In her agency’s report, chief executive Laura Hunter noted that recent changes to the Tobacco Products Control Act 2006 have earned the state some points, but there is still much to be done.
WA has lagged behind in addressing the proliferation of illegal tobacco and vape stores, despite warnings from the tobacco wars in Victoria since 2020. There have been several firebombings of tobacconists and convenience stores linked to the illegal tobacco trade across the state, which have caused political challenges for the Cook government.
