SUPERMARKET proprietor Ben Heptinstall says the situation facing retailers in Perth’s eastern suburbs reflected warnings he made more than two years ago, with illegal tobacco sales increasingly displacing legitimate businesses.

“To put it bluntly, everything I said back in 2023 has come true, and I think it’s going to get worse before it gets any better,” he said.

Mr Heptinstall said he is part of a national tobacco committee alongside retailers and industry leaders and observed crackdowns in other states forced criminal activity west where laws were more lax.

“Queensland and NSW have introduced tough laws, so the activity shifts,” he said.

“Right now, we’re seeing Victoria and South Australia pick up that market, and it’s only logical to understand WA is becoming increasingly exposed because we don’t have the laws to stop it.”

As reported in Concerns cigarette and vape black market growing (Echo News, September 15, 2023), Mr Heptinstall previously warned violence associated with the illicit tobacco trade would eventually reach Western Australia.

Mr Heptinstall said cost-of-living pressures were pushing otherwise law-abiding residents into the illegal market.

“When people can buy a pack of smokes for half the price, I completely understand why they’re being pushed to do it,” he said.

“Consumers slowly moved from legitimate retailers to the black market, and now it’s completely out of control and violent.”

He said retailers were increasingly fearful of being pressured into selling illicit tobacco.

“Retailers are absolutely feeling unsafe,” he said.

Mr Heptinstall said he was uncertain that recent enforcement changes announced by the state government would be enough on their own.

“They’re making millions of dollars,” he said.

“A few-thousand-dollar fine is not a deterrent when businesses can reopen after prosecution.”

The comments follow a January 18 announcement by the state government outlining new measures to crack down on illegal tobacco operations across the state.

The measures include appointing senior Police Superintendent Steve Post in the Department of Health to lead tobacco compliance operations, expanding inspector numbers and drafting changes to the Tobacco Products Control Act to allow tougher penalties and store closures.

Premier Roger Cook said the illegal tobacco trade was being driven by organised crime and required a whole-of-government response.

Police Minister Reece Whitby said buying cheap illegal cigarettes was directly funding serious and organised crime.

Mr Heptinstall said meaningful consultation with retailers would be critical if the new laws were to have a real impact on the ground.

“Without that input, I’m not confident the legislation will address what retailers in communities like ours are already dealing with,” he said.

A state government spokesperson said they would draw inspiration from other states’ measures.

“Drafting effective legislation is complex... it will be introduced to parliament as soon as possible,” they said.

“As part of the drafting process, we look to other states to see what measures are having the greatest impact on this illicit market.”

Hasluck MP Tania Lawrence said  more inspectors, stronger penalties and the ability to shut down rogue stores in WA will make a real difference for communities that want safer streets.

“State enforcement only works if it’s backed by strong federal action” she said.

“I can assure our community that our governments are not looking the other way.”

Ms Lawrence said federal goverment was also stopping illegal tobacco at the border, cracking down on imports and investing $345 million in enforcement.