Shocking figures revealed as tobacco surge hospitalises 35 West Aussies a day and costs taxpayers $129m

New figures revealing 35 people are in hospital every day due to tobacco-related illness have been seized on by the Opposition as more proof of the impact of illegal sales going unchecked. There were 12,924 “tobacco-attributable” hospitalisations recorded in WA last financial year, requiring almost 65,000 “bed days”. Based on previous estimates, the cost burden to taxpayers would amount to more than $129 million. Shadow Health Minister Libby Mettam called the figures astonishing. “Every single day, 35 West Australians are admitted to hospital because of tobacco-related harm, placing even more pressure on an already over-stretched hospital system,” she said. “Is it any wonder? Smoking rates are rising, illegal tobacco is readily available and Western Australia has the weakest laws in the country to crack down on this dangerous black market.” A two per cent increase in 2024-25 was in line with population growth, and lower than the peak of 13,087 tobacco-linked hospitalisations recorded in 2018-19. But public health advocates are alarmed that WA’s smoking rates are heading back up after decades of decline. The statistics are even worse for the State’s Indigenous population, with tobacco-linked hospitalisations of 2725 in 2024-25 up from 2139 in 2017-18. Ms Mettam called a 27 per cent rise a “shameful” indictment on the Cook Government. “We have a so-called Minister for Health Prevention, but under this government prevention exists in name only,” she said. Sabine Winton was absent from Sunday’s announcement of plans to recruit retired police to be part of a new squad charged with beefing-up Department of Health inspections and targeting retailers selling vapes and cheaper, illegal cigarettes. “The Minister for Preventative Health is responsible for making sure that we’ve got the policy settings right to ensure that we’re creating greater well-being and better health opportunities,” Premier Roger Cook said. “This is about clamping down on tobacco organised activity.” Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas labelled the announcement a “smoke screen” for the absence of new laws for same-day shop closure orders, which are already in place in other States. Police Minister Reece Whitby vowed to “make life hell” for the illicit tobacco trade, but conceded the new squad wouldn’t be able to shut shops until new legislation is passed. “This is one of the great frustrations we have at the moment, because we can fine someone, but we can’t shut them down and those fines aren’t great enough deterrent in any case,” Mr Whitby said. Supt Steve Post, who will lead the new squad, is a police veteran of 40 years and vowed the crackdown would start straight away. “I will immediately be looking to recruit . . . But we will start tomorrow,” he said. “I have a message for those that are involved in this illicit activity: ‘get out while you can, because we will be strengthening our enforcement’. “We will be strengthening the compliance and we will use the new laws to great effect.” Health experts welcomed the boost which will push compliance inspector numbers towards 40, but said new shut-down powers were the main priority. “This signals the WA Government is getting serious,” Australian Council on Smoking and Health chief executive Laura Hunter said. “The next step is swift, visible enforcement on the ground. “At the same time, much of the illicit tobacco trade operates in the gaps created by outdated tobacco laws and stronger deterrents are needed. “Updating the tobacco legislation must be the biggest priority, with a clear timeline.” Mr Cook again refused to set a specific deadline, but has said it would be introduced this year. “We’re trying to get the legislation in as soon as possible. I can’t give you a date today,” he said. He denied the new tobacco squad was an admission not enough was being done before. “No, the new unit is an acknowledgement that this situation has become more complex,” Mr Cook said. “That’s not to say that things haven’t happened already. “As the Minister for Police just pointed out, we’ve seen significant arrest activity. We’ve seen significant confiscation of illicit substances and products.” Health Minister Meredith Hammat warned smokers that buying cheaper products to avoid paying tax was fuelling crime. “Don’t buy illicit tobacco. Don’t support those retail stores,” she said.