Taxpayers, not Big Tobacco, are paying for our illegal smoke habit
Australia's tobacco market is increasingly dominated by organized crime, with illegal sales rising sharply. A recent Senate inquiry revealed that 65% of tobacco sales are now on the black market, a significant increase from 16% in 2020. This shift has resulted in billions of dollars being diverted from government revenue to criminal enterprises, raising concerns about public health and law enforcement effectiveness.
- ▪Organized crime could control Australia's tobacco market by 2030 without intervention.
- ▪The excise on tobacco has nearly tripled in the past decade, leading to higher taxes on cigarettes.
- ▪The Illicit Tobacco and E-Cigarette Commissioner estimates illegal sales accounted for 60% of the market last year.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Sydney Morning Herald.