- Cook Government's priority amendments to WA tobacco laws have passed through the State Parliament
- Amendments mean WA has some of the toughest penalties in the country
- Businesses caught selling illicit tobacco or vapes will face closure orders and harsh penalties
- Government supporting WA Police and WA Health to enable enforcement of new laws as soon as possible
The Cook Government's priority amendments to the Tobacco Products Control Act 2006 have passed through the Western Australian Parliament.
The amendments, which were introduced on the first sitting day of Parliament, mean WA has some of the strongest penalties in Australia for businesses caught selling illicit tobacco and vapes.
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.
Store closure orders have also been introduced, ensuring businesses supplying illegal products will be shut down while investigations take place.
WA Health and WA Police are preparing to implement the new legislation while work on regulations to support these reforms is underway.
A second tranche of legislation further tightening tobacco licencing requirements will be introduced to Parliament later this year.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"This a major step forward in protecting Western Australians and driving out the dangerous illicit tobacco and vaping trade.
"Our strengthened laws reflect what the community has been consistently calling for - tougher action to get this harmful trade off our streets.
"We welcome the Parliament's support in passing these laws and will now focus on ensuring they are implemented as soon as possible, while we also continue to draft the second tranche of changes."
As stated by Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
"I want to thank my parliamentary colleagues for their support in passing this important legislation through Parliament with the urgency it needed.
"Now that it has passed, work has begun to draft the supporting regulations, with the intention that these tough new laws will come into effect as soon as possible.
"As we announced earlier this year, we're also in the process of strengthening WA Health's tobacco compliance unit which is further bolstering the government's ability to crack down on the trade of illicit tobacco and vapes."
As stated by Police Minister Reece Whitby:
"These new laws send a strong message that Western Australia will not tolerate the organised crime groups profiting from illicit tobacco. They give WA Police stronger powers to disrupt these operations and protect our community.
"Taskforce Maverick is already delivering results, with WA Police targeting the organised crime networks behind the illicit tobacco trade charging more than 20 people with more than 60 offences.
"Our government's priority is keeping Western Australians safe. By strengthening these laws and backing our Police Force, we are making it harder for organised crime to operate in our State."
