❓ Hon Tjorn Sibma questions the WA government's crackdown on illegal vape sales, seeking data on warnings, prosecutions, penalties, and the origin of seized vapes. The Minister provides some data on inspections, seizures, and potential penalties, but withholds details on ongoing legal proceedings and vape origins.
AnsweredQoN 764Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
VAPES — ILLEGAL —
CRACKDOWN
764. Hon TJORN SIBMA to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the
state government's alleged crackdown on the sale of illegal vapes by
the Department of Health.
(1) How many
retail stores have received formal warnings from the Department of Health?
(2) How many
retail stores have been prosecuted for the possession of vapes since 2021?
(3) How many
retail stores have been prosecuted for the sale of vapes since 2021?
(4) What is the
maximum penalty a business can be fined for the sale of a vape under the —
(a) Tobacco
Products Control Act 2006; and
(b) Medicines and
Poisons Act 2014?
(5) What
penalties have retail businesses received for the sale of vapes since 2021?
(6) Can the
minister advise any details about the country of origin of any seized vapes
from retail stores?
CRACKDOWN
764. Hon TJORN SIBMA to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the
state government's alleged crackdown on the sale of illegal vapes by
the Department of Health.
(1) How many
retail stores have received formal warnings from the Department of Health?
(2) How many
retail stores have been prosecuted for the possession of vapes since 2021?
(3) How many
retail stores have been prosecuted for the sale of vapes since 2021?
(4) What is the
maximum penalty a business can be fined for the sale of a vape under the —
(a) Tobacco
Products Control Act 2006; and
(b) Medicines and
Poisons Act 2014?
(5) What
penalties have retail businesses received for the sale of vapes since 2021?
(6) Can the
minister advise any details about the country of origin of any seized vapes
from retail stores?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by the
Minister for Health.
(1) The
department has inspected 2 582 tobacco retailers and reported vape suppliers
and seized 473 254 vaping products since June 2022.
(2)–(3) In
addition to the successful seizure of 473 254 vaping products, representing an
approximate value of $16.5 million, the Department of Health currently has a number
of legal proceedings underway regarding vape retailers. As these matters are
before the courts, further information cannot be provided at this time.
(4) Under the Tobacco
Products Control Act 2006, a body corporate can be fined a maximum of $40 000
for a first offence and $80 000 for subsequent offences. Under the Medicines
and Poisons Act 2014, a body corporate can be fined a maximum of $45 000.
(5) Penalties
include fines, loss and destruction of seized property, and/or removal of
tobacco licence.
(6) No.
some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by the
Minister for Health.
(1) The
department has inspected 2 582 tobacco retailers and reported vape suppliers
and seized 473 254 vaping products since June 2022.
(2)–(3) In
addition to the successful seizure of 473 254 vaping products, representing an
approximate value of $16.5 million, the Department of Health currently has a number
of legal proceedings underway regarding vape retailers. As these matters are
before the courts, further information cannot be provided at this time.
(4) Under the Tobacco
Products Control Act 2006, a body corporate can be fined a maximum of $40 000
for a first offence and $80 000 for subsequent offences. Under the Medicines
and Poisons Act 2014, a body corporate can be fined a maximum of $45 000.
(5) Penalties
include fines, loss and destruction of seized property, and/or removal of
tobacco licence.
(6) No.
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