Tragically, tobacco tax opened the door to organised crime
The rising tobacco taxes in Australia have inadvertently fueled the illegal tobacco trade, leading to a significant increase in black market sales. Estimates suggest that 65% of tobacco sales are now illegal, a sharp rise from 16% in 2020. This shift has resulted in billions of dollars flowing to organized crime, while smoking rates are also on the rise again.
- ▪The Senate inquiry revealed that rising cigarette duties and lax law enforcement have contributed to a multibillion dollar illegal tobacco market.
- ▪Illegal cigarettes now account for approximately 65% of tobacco sales in Australia, significantly up from 16% in 2020.
- ▪The price of legal cigarettes has soared to nearly $50 per pack, while illegal versions can be purchased for less than $20.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Sydney Morning Herald.