Hon Neil Thomson questions the Minister for Health regarding the prosecution and penalties for illegal vape sales since January 2025, highlighting a perceived lack of enforcement. The Minister acknowledges ongoing referrals for prosecution but reports no finalised court convictions.

AnsweredQoN 587Legislative Assembly
Asked
20 August 2025
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

Tobacco and vapes—Illegal
sales
587. Hon Neil Thomson to
the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to my
question 559 on illicit tobacco and vape sales. I note the widespread flagrant
disregard for the law, and the minister's answer that her agency cannot fine a
business for selling vapes without that fine being determined by a court, subsequent
to prosecution.
For court actions
initiated by the minister's agency on illegal sale of vapes since 1 January
2025, how many:
(a)
have resulted in a prosecution;
(b)
have resulted in a fine (include the value of fines);
(c)
have resulted in the closure of a business;
(d)
have involved retail outlet sales;
(e)
have involved wholesale storage; and
(f)
have involved illegal importation of vapes?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following has been
provided by the Minister for Health.
The Department of
Health continues to refer cases for prosecution when they arise; however, there
has been no finalised court convictions under state legislation for these
proceedings in the period referred to.

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