❓ Hon Michelle Boylan questions WA Police regarding investigations, charges, seizures, and resources related to illicit tobacco and vape sales. WA Police clarifies that the national Illicit Tobacco Taskforce (ITTF) is primarily responsible for enforcement, but supports changes to state legislation.
AnsweredQoN 498Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) For the financial years 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25, and year-to-date 2025–26, how many investigations have Western Australian (WA) Police undertaken into illicit tobacco and illicit vape sales? (2) For the same period in (1), how many charges have been laid by WA Police in relation to illicit tobacco and illicit vape offences? (3) How many seizures of illicit tobacco and illicit vapes have been made by WA Police in each of those financial years in (1)? (4) What is the estimated street value of illicit tobacco and illicit vapes seized by WA Police for each of those financial years in (1)? (5) How many licensed retailers have been investigated by WA Police for involvement in the sale of illicit tobacco or illicit vapes for each of those financial years in (1)? (6) How many arrests have been made by WA Police in relation to organised crime linked to illicit tobacco and vape distribution since 2021–22? (7) How many incidents of arson, shootings, or other violent offences have been investigated by WA Police where the motive was linked to illicit tobacco or illicit vape trade? (8) What resources (funding, staff allocation, or taskforces) have been dedicated to WA Police enforcement against illicit tobacco and vape distribution in 2025–26? (9) Has WA Police provided advice to Government recommending changes to penalties or enforcement powers for illicit tobacco and illicit vape offences? (10) If yes to (9), what changes were proposed?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 October 2025
Responded by
Minister for the Environment representing the Minister for Police
Response time
7 days
1-8. The Western Australian Police Force is not responsible for the enforcement of illicit cigarettes/tobacco or vape offences. The national Illicit Tobacco Taskforce (ITTF) was established in 2018, to proactively target and disrupt organised crime syndicates that deal in illicit tobacco. The ITTF is led by the Australian Border Force and supported by Commonwealth agencies, State and Territory law enforcement and health authorities.
9-10. The WA Police Force supports the Department of Health’s plans to strengthen the compliance and enforcement provisions of the Tobacco Products Controls Act 2006.
9-10. The WA Police Force supports the Department of Health’s plans to strengthen the compliance and enforcement provisions of the Tobacco Products Controls Act 2006.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.