The Cook Government is launching a major new initiative to tackle Western Australia's most pressing health challenges, convening a series of round-table talks to draft the state's first comprehensive preventative health strategy.
Blueprint for a Healthier WA
Preventative Health Minister Sabine Winton will convene the first session on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. The process is designed to create a blueprint to achieve Labor's election pledge of making WA the healthiest state in the nation. A total of six sessions will be held with experts, community organisations, and researchers, with the public also invited to have their say in the coming months.
"We want Western Australians to be engaged in this process," Ms Winton stated, highlighting the government's commitment to broad consultation. The move is seen as an attempt to regain control of the health narrative after weeks of pressure over deteriorating key indicators and Opposition criticism.
Tackling Smoking, Vaping and Diet
The strategy will focus on reversing alarming trends in vaccination, diet, and smoking. Recent data reveals adult smoking rates in WA have increased from 10% in 2022-23 to 13.5%. Vaping rates are particularly high, reaching 29.5% in the Pilbara and 24.6% in east metropolitan Perth. Furthermore, 8.4% of West Australians report they cannot afford fresh food.
Themes for the round-tables will include mental health and wellbeing in early years, immunisation, cancer screening, sexual health, and targeted population strategies. Efforts to prevent the take-up of tobacco, e-cigarettes and vaping will be high on the agenda.
On Monday, Premier Roger Cook defended the pace of tobacco reform following a string of shootings and fire-bombings linked to the illicit tobacco trade. He confirmed legislation to issue same-day shop closure orders to retailers selling illegal products is a priority for Parliament this year. "We're going to get it out of WA and these people, we're going to put in jail," Mr Cook said, citing 35 tobacco-linked hospitalisations every day as proof of the harm.
Experts Welcome Strategic Approach
The initiative has been welcomed by key stakeholders. Healthway chief executive Colin Smith said the strategy would help clear a path for better outcomes, while Kids Research Institute executive director Jonathan Carapetis commended the government for a long-term approach. "The evidence is compelling that investment in preventative health saves lives and reduces the burden on our health system," Dr Carapetis said.
Health Minister Meredith Hammat emphasised the focus on practical measures. "Our hard-working health workforce and advocates in the community know best and these roundtables are about listening, learning and acting for the future," she said.
However, the Opposition has questioned the government's commitment. Shadow Health Minister Libby Mettam criticised the decision to split health responsibilities between five ministers and accused Labor of elevating prevention "in name only" by creating a new portfolio. Premier Cook fired back, blaming the Liberal party for past inaction on tobacco laws.
