Supt Steve Post will join the Health Department’s team of inspectors to crack down on illegal tobacco operations.
The Western Australian government is intensifying efforts to combat illegal tobacco sales, with Premier Roger Cook announcing a comprehensive strategy to tackle the growing issue. This initiative includes the recruitment of retired police officers to bolster enforcement and the introduction of new legislation to strengthen penalties against illicit tobacco operations.
During a press conference on Saturday, Cook revealed plans for legislation that would empower authorities to shut down illegal shops and impose harsher penalties on offenders. Currently, the Department of Health has the authority to seize illicit tobacco products and prosecute violators. The proposed changes aim to enhance these enforcement capabilities significantly.
“I have made my position clear — these tobacco thugs must be stopped,” Cook stated. “Make no mistake about it, we are dealing with organised crime, and it requires a considered, whole of government response.”
New Enforcement Measures and Leadership
Beginning Monday, Superintendent Steve Post, a seasoned officer with 40 years of experience, will lead a revamped compliance team within the Department of Health. This new squad will focus on investigating illegal tobacco shops and related operations. Cook’s government hopes that Post’s leadership will facilitate a more effective crackdown on illegal sales, which have recently escalated, evidenced by two stores being set ablaze within days.
The government is also appealing to both retired and active police officers to join this initiative. The aim is to leverage their experience in the ongoing “tobacco war,” where the complexity of investigations has increased due to ties with organised crime.
Post, who has been dubbed the “Tobacco Tsar,” emphasized the need for a robust response to the violence associated with the illegal tobacco trade. “The Western Australia Police Force rapidly responds to threats from those who break the law and do harm in our community,” he said. “Those who engage in this unlawful behaviour will now find it even more difficult to conduct their illegal business under this new arrangement.”
Addressing Concerns and Future Legislation
The illegal tobacco market poses significant challenges across Australia, with cigarettes being sold at prices substantially lower than legal products. In contrast to other states that have already implemented stringent penalties, Western Australia has been slow to enact tougher laws. This has raised concerns among former officials, including Peter Dowding, who remarked on the slow pace of legislative action since the original Tobacco Act was passed.
Checks on convenience stores and tobacconists have reportedly dropped to 751 in 2025, marking the lowest level in five years. Cook acknowledged the urgency of new legislation, committing to prioritizing its introduction when the WA Parliament resumes in February. “Western Australians should be reassured that new legislation will be introduced to Parliament as a priority — but it’s important we get it right,” he said.
Police Minister Reece Whitby reiterated the government’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks tied to illegal tobacco. “Let me be absolutely clear – the criminal gangs behind illegal tobacco, fire-bombings and shootings in Western Australia will be found, shut down and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he stated.
Health Minister Meredith Hammat defended the government’s current efforts to combat illegal tobacco sales, emphasizing the need for expanded resources and heightened enforcement. “The nature of this reprehensible trade is changing rapidly, and we need to support our enforcement team to respond accordingly,” she noted.
As Western Australia gears up for this intensified campaign against illegal tobacco, the government aims to restore order and safety within the community, while sending a clear message that illicit activities will not be tolerated. The steps taken by the Cook administration reflect a broader commitment to addressing significant public health concerns linked to tobacco use and organized crime.
