WA’s tough new tobacco laws target the illegal market
The Cook Government has recently passed a new bill to strengthen Western Australia’s statewide response to the illicit tobacco and nicotine vape market. The amendments to the current Tobacco Control Act 2006 will include serious penalties that aim to disrupt businesses who are selling illegal products.
WA has some of the toughest penalties including a new illicit tobacco taskforce directed to target businesses caught selling illegal tobacco products under the proposed legislative changes. Under this first portion of 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.
The crackdown is just one key approach to Tobacco Control that includes evidence-based approaches to reduce tobacco-related harm through strengthening laws, smoking policies and sales regulations, as well as increased support and investment from the Government bodies. These new actions are a timely response to combat the irregulated industry that operates in our community.
Tobacco Control is part of a wider public health priority, and the Tackling Indigenous Smoking program is just one means of protecting our mob through health promotion and education. This new legislation will hopefully see stronger action taken to fight back an industry that profits from addiction and causes harm to our health and future, by keeping tobacco and vape products cheap and accessible.
Later this year, a second proportion of legislation to further tightening licencing, including long-term closures of businesses for up to 12 months will be introduced to Parliament to strengthen WA’s response.
Tobacco control advocates such as ACOSH and Cancer Council WA strongly support the proposed new laws, having long expressed the need and urgency for these protective measures to pass through Parliament.
Comments attributed to 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.’
There’s never been a better time to quit — and free support is available. Call Quitline on 13 7848 and ask to speak to an Aboriginal Counsellor.
March 11, 2026
WA’s tough new tobacco laws target the illegal market