WA Licence Needed to Possess Tobacco for Sale; Fines or Jail for Possessing Commercial Quantities of Banned Products; Government Can Order Businesses to Close

Tobacco Products Control Amendment Bill 2026

12 Mar 2026: Passed by Parliament and signed off by the governor.

This bill kicks in: TBA

Legislative Assembly

Legislative Council

Assent

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Topics

commercial trade criminal penalties illegal sales police powers public health tobacco tobacco control vaping products

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

People must have a licence to possess tobacco products for sale.
Selling or supplying prohibited products is a crime and carries a tier 4 penalty; this does not apply to therapeutic vaping products that meet regulation conditions.
Possessing a commercial quantity of a prohibited product carries a fine of .1 million and 15 years in prison for individuals; companies face a 0.5 million fine.
Possessing a large commercial quantity of a banned product is a crime.
Hindering, obstructing, threatening, or intimidating officers performing their duties is a crime and carries a tier 3 penalty.
The CEO can issue an interim order to close premises for up to 72 hours by posting a notice on the premises.
The Health Minister can issue a short-term order to close premises for up to 90 days by posting a notice on the premises.

The Debate

What different members said when this bill was debated:

Pierre Yang ALP

“I move: That the bill be now read a second time. The Tobacco Products Control Amendment Bill 2026 will amend the Tobacco Products Control Act 2006 to strengthen offence and penalty provisions, enable interim and short-term closure orders for certain properties and extend the application of the act to the supply of illicit tobacco and illegal vaping devices.”

Official source →

Meredith Hammat ALP

“I move: That the bill be now read a second time. On behalf of the government, I introduce the Tobacco Products Control Amendment Bill 2026 to improve management and control measures for tobacco and vaping devices in the Western Australian community.”

Official source →