Six stores have been issued closure orders since the introduction of Western Australia’s strengthened legislation targeting the state’s illicit tobacco and vaping trade.
The sweeping laws, which were proclaimed on 13 May, deliver tougher penalties and stronger enforcement powers. Since that date, WA Health’s Tobacco Compliance Unit and WA Police have seized 141,817 illegal cigarettes, 5.2 kilograms of loose tobacco, and 613 vapes.
The first closure order was issued following a WA Police Force raid on a Kalgoorlie-Boulder barber shop on 13 May, resulting in 1,908 illegal cigarettes and approximately three kilograms of loose tobacco seized.
On Friday, WA Police executed a search warrant in Bunbury, resulting in another closure order in regional Western Australia.
A further four closure orders were issued in Perth, following targeted inspections by WA Health in and around the CBD.
“WA Health’s Tobacco Compliance Unit is wasting no time using these tough new laws to keep our community safe,” said Health Minister, Meredith Hammat.
“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.
“Closure orders are a game-changer in our fight against illegal tobacco, and our State and Federal agencies will continue to work together to get it off our streets.
“I’d like to thank the Australian Council on Smoking and Health and the Cancer Council for their strong advocacy on behalf of the community and supporting our government to make this important legislative change.
“We’ll be introducing a second tranche of legalisation to further crackdown on the illicit tobacco trade and tighten licencing requirements later this year.”
The maximum penalty for possession of a large commercial quantity of illicit tobacco and vaping products is $4.2 million for an individual or $21 million for a company, and 15 years imprisonment.
Under the legislation, WA Health can issue closure orders to businesses found selling or storing illicit tobacco and vaping products.
“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,” said Police Minister, Reece Whitby.
“These new laws, designed to hit criminal operations hard, are already delivering results, seizing tobacco, cigarettes, and vapes while stopping stores from re-opening the next day.
“Serious organised criminal activity linked to the illicit tobacco trade remains a high priority for WA Police Force through our strengthened laws, and Taskforce Maverick – which has resulted in dozens of offenders arrested and charged, and large quantities of illicit tobacco products and cash seized.”
Vaping is now banned everywhere smoking is prohibited, protecting the health of Western Australians.
The Government has also significantly increased WA Health’s tobacco compliance capability to support implementing the new laws, including additional investigators and enhanced coordination with WA Police.
The reforms are aimed at disrupting organised criminal activity linked to the illicit tobacco and vape trade, while protecting legitimate businesses that comply with the law.
Anyone with information about the sale of illicit tobacco or vapes is encouraged to report it to WA Health or anonymously via Crime Stoppers.
