- Cook Government's priority amendments to WA tobacco laws pass Lower House
- The amendments will now be debated in the Legislative Council
- Businesses caught selling illicit tobacco or vapes will face closure orders under these amendments
The Cook Government's priority amendments to theTobacco Products Control Act 2006have passed the Legislative Assembly and will now be debated in the Legislative Council.
The new laws will ensure Western Australia has some of the strongest penalties in Australia for businesses caught selling illicit tobacco and vapes.
Under the proposed legislative changes, the maximum penalty for possession of a large commercial quantity of illicit tobacco and vaping products will be $4.2 million for an individual or $21 million for a company, and 15 years imprisonment.
Store closure orders of up to 90 days will also be introduced, ensuring businesses supplying illegal products will not be able to operate while investigations take place.
Western Australia's orders will be amongst the toughest in the nation and provide compliance officers with a key enforcement mechanism to penalise and shut down businesses found to be selling illicit tobacco and vaping products.
A second tranche of legislation, further tightening licencing, and introducing long-term closures of businesses for up to 12 months will be introduced to Parliament later this year.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"These laws are about keeping Western Australians safe, crushing this dangerous trade, and driving criminals out of business.
"Advocates have strongly backed these proposed changes to this legislation and urged MPs to pass them without delay.
"I look forward to continued support on this legislation in the Upper House."
As stated by Health Minister Meredith Hammat:
"Our laws have received strong support from the community which. We all want to see this dangerous trade off our streets.
"These changes will significantly strengthen enforcement and enable a strong State-wide response from WA Health's newly expanded Tobacco and Vape Compliance Unit.
"The new-look unit continues to crack down on the illicit tobacco trade across the State, with a recent investigation in regional WA uncovering almost 100,000 illicit cigarettes and more than 37 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco."
As stated by Acting Police Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"The Cook Government is delivering on our commitment to build safer communities for all Western Australians, and this legislation will allow WA Police to help bring down serious and organised crime groups.
"These new laws are an important tool in our multipronged response to target illicit tobacco trade and will significantly increase penalties for tobacco kingpins and those who help them.
"Taskforce Maverick, established by WA Police, is disrupting the illicit tobacco trade, charging 22 people with more than 60 serious offences and our Police Force will continue to crack down on those involved, to keep the community safe."
