The Western Australian government says its tough new tobacco and vaping laws are having a major impact, with six stores issued closure orders since the strengthened legislation came into effect.

The sweeping laws, which were proclaimed on 13 May, are said to deliver tougher penalties and stronger enforcement powers to target the illicit tobacco and vaping trade. Since then, WA Health’s Tobacco Compliance Unit and WA Police have seized 141,817 illegal cigarettes, 5.2kg 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 1908 illegal cigarettes and approximately 3kg of loose tobacco seized.

On 15 May, WA Police executed a search warrant in Bunbury, resulting in another closure order in regional WA.

A further four closure orders were issued in Perth, following targeted inspections by WA Health in and around the CBD.

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.

WA Health Minister Meredith Hammat says WA Health’s Tobacco Compliance Unit is wasting no time using these tough new laws to keep the community safe.

“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,” she says.    

“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.  

“We’ll be introducing a second tranche of legalisation to further crack down on the illicit tobacco trade and tighten licencing requirements later this year.”

The state government says it has significantly increased WA Health’s tobacco compliance capability to support implementing the new laws, including additional investigators and enhanced coordination with WA Police.