❓ WA Parliament Question on Notice regarding the Department of Health's Tobacco Control Compliance team's activities and budget related to illicit tobacco enforcement from 2021-2025. The answer provides data on inspections, seizures, infringements, prosecutions, and clarifies the Department's authority regarding premises closure.
AnsweredQoN 921Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Department of Health's Tobacco Control Compliance team and associated activities, and I ask: (a) For each year 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 to date, provide the total number of: (i) inspections/spot checks of tobacco retailers/convenience stores concerning illicit tobacco and suburbs where inspections were conducted; (ii) seizures/raids of illegal tobacco (cigarettes, loose tobacco) conducted or coordinated by the Department or Department-appointed inspectors; (iii) infringement notices issued; (iv) prosecutions commenced; and (v) premises closed (by administrative or court order) on the basis of illicit tobacco offences; and (b) What is the budget (annual) allocated for illicit tobacco enforcement (e.g. equipment, training, surveillance) in each of FY 2021-22, 2022–23, 2023–24, and 2024–25?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
20 November 2025
Responded by
Minister for Health; Mental Health
Response time
10 days
I thank the Honourable Member for some notice of the question.
(a)
(i) Inspections of tobacco suppliers:
2021 = 1,940
2022 = 813
2023 = 1,527
2024 = 1,226
2025 to date = 726
(ii) Seizures of illegal tobacco:
2021 = 0
2022 = 1
2023 = 6
2024 = 36
2025 to date = 62
(iii) Infringement notices issued:
2021 = 0
2022 = 1
2023 = 18
2024 = 19
2025 to date = 70
(iv)
The Department of Health refers prosecution cases to the State Solicitors Office (SSO) to advise on the prospects of successful prosecution, and to issue prosecution proceedings under instruction by the Department of Health, where this is appropriate. Timeframes for the review of cases and issuing of prosecution notices are subject to the SSO.
Prosecutions commenced:
2021 = 0
2022 = 0
2023 = 0
2024 = 0
2025 to date = 2
(v) There are no provisions under the relevant legislation for closure of a premises unlawfully supplying tobacco. The Department of Heath does not have the legislative authority to close premises for unlawfully supplying tobacco.
(b) Release of expenditure data could enable estimates of resourcing by unlawful suppliers of tobacco that may compromise officer safety and interfere with effective compliance operations.
(a)
(i) Inspections of tobacco suppliers:
2021 = 1,940
2022 = 813
2023 = 1,527
2024 = 1,226
2025 to date = 726
(ii) Seizures of illegal tobacco:
2021 = 0
2022 = 1
2023 = 6
2024 = 36
2025 to date = 62
(iii) Infringement notices issued:
2021 = 0
2022 = 1
2023 = 18
2024 = 19
2025 to date = 70
(iv)
The Department of Health refers prosecution cases to the State Solicitors Office (SSO) to advise on the prospects of successful prosecution, and to issue prosecution proceedings under instruction by the Department of Health, where this is appropriate. Timeframes for the review of cases and issuing of prosecution notices are subject to the SSO.
Prosecutions commenced:
2021 = 0
2022 = 0
2023 = 0
2024 = 0
2025 to date = 2
(v) There are no provisions under the relevant legislation for closure of a premises unlawfully supplying tobacco. The Department of Heath does not have the legislative authority to close premises for unlawfully supplying tobacco.
(b) Release of expenditure data could enable estimates of resourcing by unlawful suppliers of tobacco that may compromise officer safety and interfere with effective compliance operations.
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