Western Australia is enacting tougher penalties under the Tobacco Products Control Act 2006 to combat illicit tobacco and vaping, including fines up to $4.2 million for individuals, up to $21 million for companies, and as much as 15 years’ imprisonment, with store closure orders up to 90 days.

Premier Roger Cook says the reforms target organized crime at the heart of the illegal tobacco trade and aim to crush it in WA.

The proposed penalties would place WA among Australia’s toughest, reflecting the government’s commitment to ending the illegal trade.

Health Minister Meredith Hammat emphasized collaboration with WA Police to disrupt supply chains, proposing a compliance unit to identify and shut down shops selling illicit products for up to 90 days, with longer closures subject to a higher standard.

Police Minister Reece Whitby notes the laws will give health and police agencies additional powers to shut down illegal shops and disrupt organized crime networks involved in the illicit trade.

Authorities say the overarching goal is to curb illegal trade, reduce violence tied to turf wars, and remove illegal operators from the market.

The Hamad family crime syndicate is highlighted as a key player in WA’s illicit tobacco trade, with Kazem Hamad coordinating from the Middle East and Maytham Hamad charged in WA; both brothers are in custody.

The largest seizure linked to the Hamad syndicate occurred after an attempted attack on a Rockingham convenience store, totaling more than 3.9 million cigarettes, 3,900 vapes, and 288 kg of loose tobacco worth about $4.5 million.

Police data show significant seizures since January 2025, including 1.26 million illicit cigarettes, 467 kg of tobacco, almost 17,000 illegal vapes, and $770,000 in cash, with additional seizures and 19 people charged in relation to related offenses.

The proposed laws would create store closure powers of up to 90 days to disrupt supply chains quickly during investigations.

NSW and Queensland have already enacted measures imposing penalties on landlords who knowingly permit illegal stores, with immediate 90-day store closures for breaches, illustrating a broader national push.

National context notes the black market accounts for a majority of cigarette sales—estimates place it at 55% to 60%—with legal packs priced around $50 versus roughly $15 for black market packs.