Smoking
Share this @internewscast.com

Fresh data is ramping up the call for Premier Roger Cook’s administration to implement stricter regulations against the illicit cigarette market.

For the first time in thirty years, the percentage of West Australians who smoke climbed last fiscal year, rising from 10 percent in 2022/23 to 12 percent.

Smoking
Western Australia’s smoking rates have increased for the first time in 30 years. (9News)

Additionally, the curiosity around vaping is gaining traction.

Libby Jardine from the WA Cancer Council expressed concern, stating, “In Western Australia, tobacco is currently more accessible than staples like milk, bread, and fresh produce, which is an issue we need to tackle urgently.”

Cook attributes the rise in smoking rates to population growth, citing “record numbers of people coming to Western Australia from overseas” as a contributing factor.

However, the opposition places the responsibility squarely on him.

“These are issues which affects everyday health of West Australians, making it harder to obtain these illegal substances has to be a priority for this government but it hasn’t been,” Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas said.

Roger Cook
WA Premier Roger Cook blames an increasing population for the increase in smoking rates, saying it’s down to “people coming to Western Australia from overseas, in record numbers” (9News)

Illegal tobacco laws are yet to be introduced to parliament but health advocates are pushing for the Cook government to pull the trigger.

“We’re seeing both South Australia and Queensland lead the way in this, so really the time for WA to act was yesterday,” Jardine said.

WA’s Health Department has conducted more than 1600 inspections on Perth’s underground vape and tobacco market.

More than 190,000 vapes have been seized so far this year as well as 460,000 cigarettes and 80,000 kilograms of loose tobacco.

Smoking
WA’s Health Department has conducted more than 1600 inspections on Perth’s underground vape and tobacco market. (9News)

Cook was repeatedly questioned today on whether the smoking habits of WA Preventative Health Minister Sabina Winton set a bad example.

The premier deflected, criticising the opposition for getting personal, but the Liberal party never made a public comment.

“She knows from personal experience, just how addictive some of these substances are and how difficult it is the kick the habit,” Cook said.

The sentiment was echoed by Winton.

“[As] someone that has struggled with addiction to nicotine, I understand and relate to the challenges that other people face with addiction,” she told 9News.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Logan hospital

Authorities Probe Mysterious Rat Poison Incident After Multiple Hospitalizations

Authorities in Queensland’s southeast are collaborating with health officials to identify the…
Emergency Landing

Unexpected Mid-Air Mystery: Pilot Diverts Flight After Hearing Eerie Knocking on Cockpit Door

An American Airlines flight, operated by SkyWest Airlines, made an emergency landing…

Amazon Announces Full Restoration of AWS Cloud Services Following Significant Outage

Amazon said that the system at issue was back to “pre-event levels”…
NZ woman Michelle revealed on-air how finding another woman's necklace on her bedroom night stand led to the discovery that her fiancé had cheated while she was away (Picture: Stock Image)

Heartbreak Before ‘I Do’: My Shocking Discovery Two Weeks Before the Wedding

A woman from New Zealand has shared the unexpected clue that led…

Rising Living Costs Hit Australians Hard: Unveiling a Larger Issue

Cost of living spikes continue to push living standards down. To learn…
Apple Vision Pro

Apple Unveils Exciting Upgrades: New Features for iPad, MacBook Pro, and Vision Pro

With the launch of the 2025 iPhone range now behind them, Apple…
A low pressure system is expected to batter southern states with storms and strong winds.

Prepare for Impact: Southern States Face Unprecedented Storms with ‘Rare’ Destructive Winds

Multiple Aussie states are set to be hammered by fierce winds, rain…
Gregor Townsend says he will scale back his Red Bull role if it begins to affect Scotland

Townsend’s Red Bull Role Could Impact Scotland’s Test Success: Fans Demand Results

During a press briefing yesterday, Gregor Townsend momentarily feigned frustration as he…

Australia-China Tensions Escalate: Unpacking the South China Sea Standoff

Metal casing from a flare released by a Chinese jet near an…

Additional Sunscreen Recalls Announced: Is Your Brand Affected?

Australians headed to the beach this week have been warned that two…

Catch the Orionids Meteor Shower: Best Times to See Up to 18 Meteors Per Hour in Australia

If you happen to be up bright and early on Wednesday morning,…
NSW Government spends $190 million to bring major hospital back into public hands

NSW Government Reclaims Major Hospital with $190 Million Investment

The Labor government led by Premier Chris Minns has pledged $190 million…