Lotterywest cancels licences of seven stores across Perth found to be selling illegal tobacco or vapes

Seven stores across Perth found to be selling illegal tobacco and vapes have had their lotteries licences terminated, as attempts to disrupt the illicit and growing trade continues while waiting for laws to strengthen. 

In October, the Australian Council on Smoking and Health (ACOSH) revealed half of the 103 retail outlets it had audited across 56 Perth suburbs were found to be selling illegal tobacco or vapes.

According to ACOSH, illegal sales of the products were identified at stores in the CBD and across "ordinary suburban shopping strips — from newsagents and delis to tobacconists, convenience stores and gift shops".

Under the current laws in WA, government officials, including police, do not have the power to immediately shut down the stores, despite the illegal activity.

The state government has said it is working on updating the relevant legislation — which a spokesperson has previously claimed would be the "toughest in the country" — but that is not expected to be introduced to parliament until next year.

"Zero tolerance" approach 

While not able to shut them down, Lotterywest has terminated the retail agreement of seven stores identified in the ACOSH audit, preventing them from selling any lottery-related games.

"We have zero tolerance to anyone not abiding by the laws," Lotterywest CEO Colin Smith told ABC Radio Perth.

"We've taken swift action … we have very strong support from the Premier [Roger Cook] for this action because it's a really important community issue."

Mr Smith said he did not expect those seven businesses would ever be able to get their licences back, and cancelling their licences would have at least some financial impact.

"The 485 retailers out there that work with us and do the right thing by the community do get a good revenue off the back of the sale of lottery tickets," he said.

"What we can't have is illegal activity in our retailer network.

"We don't see an ability for them to reapply under the current conditions."

ACOSH has applauded Lotterywest for stepping up and doing what it can while waiting for the government to strengthen the laws.

"It's positive to see agencies like Lotterywest taking proactive action to protect the community.

"This shows what can be done immediately while we wait for the broader reforms".

Orelia beauty salon fire 

Early on Friday morning, WA Police were called to a shopping strip in Orelia, in Perth's south, after they found a vehicle on fire in one of the shop fronts. 

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services was called to extinguish the blaze, which caused significant damage to the building, including a beauty salon.

Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan McGuggon from the drug and firearm squad said no one was inside at the time.

"Police are treating the fire as suspicious and the investigation remains ongoing," he said.

"Inquiries indicate the premises was previously associated with illicit tobacco and vape products."

The corner shop, right next to the beauty salon damaged in the blaze, sold vaping products until it closed earlier this year.

Detective Senior Sergeant McGuggon said the incident was being investigated as a "targeted attack".

But he was reluctant to say much more about the potential link between the attack and the illegal trade.

"We are fully investigating this incident and where that leads to," he said.

"I'm not going to speculate as to what is linked and what's not.

"Through the fullness of our investigation we'll identify any links and investigative actions and avenues of inquiry, and we're going to be relentless in our pursuit of those."

In August, several shootings at suburban Perth tobacco stores led police to investigate a potential "turf war".

Earlier this month, a 31-year-old man was charged for allegedly running an organised crime enterprise through a network of Perth stores, with his operations said to be linked to the August shootings.