WA Shuts Down 6 Tobacco Stores Within 72 Hours Under Tough New Crackdown

Western Australia has launched one of its toughest crackdowns on illegal tobacco and vape sales, shutting down six stores and seizing more than 141,000 illicit cigarettes within just 72 hours of new laws taking effect.

The new legislation, which officially came into force on Wednesday, gives WA authorities the power to immediately close businesses allegedly involved in selling illegal tobacco products or vapes for up to 90 days. The laws also introduce stronger penalties for offenders as the state attempts to disrupt what officials describe as a growing organised crime-linked black market.

According to WA Health, the first round of enforcement targeted four stores in metropolitan Perth and two regional businesses. Authorities also made public the details of the closures through the health department website as part of the transparency around the operation.

The seizures from the six stores included approximately 141,000 illegal cigarettes, 5.2 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco, and 613 vapes. Officials described the haul as one of the clearest signs yet of how widespread the illicit tobacco trade has become across Western Australia.

Kalgoorlie barber shop among first businesses shut down

The first closure order under the new laws was issued following a police raid on a barber shop in Kalgoorlie-Boulder on Wednesday. Authorities allegedly uncovered almost 2,000 illegal cigarettes along with close to three kilograms of loose tobacco during the operation.

Another closure order followed on Friday in Bunbury after police executed a search warrant at a separate business. Meanwhile, four additional stores in Perth, including locations around the CBD and Northbridge, were ordered to close after targeted inspections carried out by WA Health officers.

WA Health Minister Meredith Hammat said the rapid enforcement action showed the legislation was already having an impact.

“These results are just in the first 72 hours of our new legislation being in effect,” Ms Hammat said during a media briefing.

She described the reforms as some of the strongest anti-illicit tobacco laws currently operating anywhere in Australia and said authorities were focused on shutting down businesses connected to illegal cigarette and vape sales.

“We’ve introduced some of the toughest laws in the country, and now we’re getting on with the job of making sure we stamp out the illicit tobacco trade,” she said.

The WA government has faced increasing pressure in recent months to modernise tobacco enforcement laws as illegal cigarette shops and vape retailers expanded across Perth and regional areas. Similar concerns have emerged across Australia, where black-market tobacco sales have become increasingly linked to organised crime networks, violent extortion attempts, and firebombing incidents targeting rival operators.

Australia already has some of the world’s highest tobacco taxes, and health authorities argue that illegal tobacco traders are exploiting price differences to build a highly profitable underground market.

Further laws expected later this year

Ms Hammat confirmed the current legislation is only the first stage of the government’s broader strategy. She said a second package of laws would be introduced later this year to strengthen enforcement powers even further.

The upcoming reforms are expected to target landlords who knowingly lease properties to illegal tobacco operators. Health advocates have long argued that property owners should face penalties if they ignore repeated warnings about illicit trading occurring inside their buildings.

Laura Hunter, chief executive of the Australian Council on Smoking and Health, said the latest enforcement action was encouraging but warned that stronger measures were still urgently needed.

“It is great to see so much compliance action, this is really good progress,” Ms Hunter said.

However, she pointed out that other states including Queensland and South Australia already have stricter landlord termination powers in place. She urged WA to move quickly on the next stage of reforms.

Ms Hunter also highlighted Fremantle as an area where enforcement agencies should focus additional attention due to concerns about illegal tobacco activity.

“Illegal tobacco and vapes hurt our communities, they fuel violence and they make cheap tobacco available on every street corner,” she said.

The WA Police Force has also linked illicit tobacco sales to organised criminal groups operating across the state. Police Minister Reece Whitby issued a direct warning to businesses continuing to trade in illegal cigarettes and vapes.

“Pack up your shop and get out of our state while you can, because we’re coming for you,” Mr Whitby said.

He added that authorities would continue targeting operators involved in the black market and warned that further closures and charges were likely as investigations continue.

“If you keep trading illicit tobacco and illicit vapes, you will be caught and you will be dealt with,” he said.

The enforcement campaign reflects a wider national effort to tackle Australia’s growing illegal tobacco economy. Federal and state authorities have repeatedly warned that the illicit trade not only undermines public health policy but also provides a major revenue stream for organised criminal syndicates.

The Australian Border Force and the Department of Health have previously reported significant increases in illegal tobacco seizures nationwide. More information about Australia’s tobacco regulations and enforcement framework is available through the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care.

For now, investigations into the six stores remain ongoing, with authorities expected to pursue further penalties and potential criminal charges in the coming weeks.

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