WA Health director-general Shirley Bowen has been left red-faced and speechless as she was quizzed over her department’s perceived inaction on tackling WA’s escalating tobacco war after a second store was targeted in 24 hours.
The escalating issue of illicit tobacco sales in Western Australia has led to significant scrutiny of health authorities, particularly following a recent spate of arson attacks on tobacco retail stores. The state’s Health Director-General, Dr Shirley Bowen, found herself in the spotlight during a press conference addressing the department’s response to these incidents, which included a fire at the Candy Station tobacco store in Ballajura.
On Thursday, following a suspected arson attack that targeted Candy Station, Dr Bowen stated that the enforcement of regulations surrounding the illicit tobacco market had become increasingly complicated. “We do have powers to seize and prosecute, but there’s quite a significant process around that, and we have done that over recent years,” she explained. Her comments came just a day after another tobacco retailer, the Ashtar tobacconist in Huntingdale, suffered a similar fate, marking a troubling trend in the region’s battle against illegal tobacco sales.
Dr Bowen emphasized the department’s ongoing efforts, noting, “Over the last year, we’ve had targeted blitzes, lots of activity. It is more complex work than it ever has been.” Despite these assertions, she faced criticism when questioned about the lack of frequent enforcement actions against rogue retailers. In response, she acknowledged the perceived simplicity of such actions but declined to provide further specifics, stating, “I’m sure it sounds very simple, but it’s not the case.”
Violence Escalates in Tobacco War
The violence associated with the illicit tobacco trade has intensified, with the Ashtar tobacconist experiencing its second arson attack in just five months. The store was engulfed in flames early on Wednesday morning, following a similar incident in August when offenders broke in and set it alight. Just hours after this incident, emergency services were dispatched to Candy Station, where a fire was reported around 04:00 on Illawarra Crescent. Local police established a crime scene and are treating the event as a targeted attack linked to the ongoing tobacco war.
Candy Station has a history of being targeted, having experienced three separate arson attacks in 2025. The first incident occurred in January when two individuals set the store ablaze. Subsequent attacks included a masked arsonist igniting a vehicle outside the store and a Molotov cocktail incident. The violence has not been limited to tobacco retailers; a nearby establishment, The Firkin Pub, also sustained damage from gunfire, highlighting the broader implications of this illicit trade.
Calls for Legislative Action
The Cook Government is facing mounting pressure to introduce stricter laws aimed at giving police the authority to swiftly close stores involved in the sale of illicit cigarettes. Roger Cook, the state’s health minister, has stated that tougher legislation is currently being drafted and is a priority. He asserted, “I have made my position clear — I will crush this industry and drive these people out of business. These tobacco thugs need to be stopped. That’s why it is so important that we get this complex legislation right.”
Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas has urged the government to expedite the legislative process, calling for the laws to be ready for consideration on the first sitting day of 2026. “Premier, please, on behalf of the people of Western Australia – mate, do your job,” Zempilas implored. He warned that inaction could lead to serious injuries or fatalities, asserting that if the government does not act, the consequences will rest on their shoulders.
As Western Australia grapples with the rising tide of illegal tobacco sales and the associated violence, the urgency for effective policy measures and law enforcement is clearer than ever.
