Australia’s recent budgetary woes, with tobacco excise tax revenue nearly halved since 2019 and estimated cumulative losses of A$10 billion (€5.6 billion) by 2029, have been tied to the country’s thriving black markets for tobacco and nicotine products. Experts warn that this illicit trade boom is a direct consequence of Australia’s draconian approach to vaping regulation, which includes limiting the legal sale of vapes to pharmacies and implementing sweeping flavor bans.
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Australia is grappling with a rapidly expanding illicit tobacco market, a crisis marked by stark price discrepancies, lost tax revenue, and escalating organized crime. While a legal pack of 20 cigarettes costs around AUD $40 due to massive tax hikes, black market alternatives flood the streets for as little as AUD $15. This underground economy isn’t just about cheap smokes; it’s increasingly linked to violent crime, including extortion rackets and arson attacks targeting retailers involved in the trade. This alarming situation raises critical questions: are Australia’s tobacco control policies inadvertently fueling the very problems they aim to solve?
Read moreThe Crisafulli Government in Queensland is taking a tough stance against the illegal tobacco and vape trade by introducing the nation’s highest fines for shop owners caught supplying or possessing these illicit products. As of today, illegal operators will face on-the-spot fines exceeding $30,000, a significant increase from the weak penalties under the previous Labor Government.
Read moreAs of April 1, 2025, Australia has introduced a comprehensive set of new laws that significantly change the appearance, ingredients, and packaging of tobacco products. The Australian government passed this package of tobacco laws in late 2023, which includes several key measures:
Read moreSince October 2021, Australia has implemented strict regulations on nicotine-containing vaping products, classifying them as Schedule 4 prescription-only medicines under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. This means that to legally purchase or import e-cigarettes or nicotine vaping liquids in Australia, individuals must first obtain a valid nicotine prescription from a registered medical practitioner. This guide will walk you through the process of getting a nicotine prescription, the legal context surrounding these regulations, and alternative options for those looking to quit smoking.
Read moreThe Malinauskas Labor Government of South Australia has introduced new legislation to State Parliament, granting police greater powers and implementing tougher penalties to crack down on the illegal tobacco and vape trade. The new laws, developed in consultation with Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, aim to reduce criminal activity and protect the community from the risks associated with illicit tobacco and e-cigarette products.
Read moreTasmania has reinforced its vaping laws, making it mandatory for adults to obtain a doctor’s prescription to purchase e-cigarettes, e-liquid, and vaping devices starting April 1, 2025. This approach differs from other Australian states where certain e-cigarette products can be bought over the counter in pharmacies without a prescription.
Read moreA recent study conducted by a team of Australian and New Zealand academics has found that New Zealand’s adult smoking rate has fallen faster than Australia’s over the past decade, despite New Zealand starting with a higher rate in 2013. The researchers explored potential reasons for this difference, focusing on the contrasting approaches to vaping regulation in the two countries.
Read moreSouth Australia has become the first Australian state to ban nicotine pouches, intensifying its efforts to curb the illegal tobacco and vaping markets. Effective immediately, the new legislation classifies nicotine pouches as prohibited products, subject to the same restrictions as tobacco and e-cigarettes.
Read moreThe Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued infringement notices totaling $396,000 to 20 retail businesses in Melbourne for the alleged unlawful supply of vaping products. The fines, which amount to $19,800 per business, were the result of a joint operation conducted in December 2024 by the TGA and the Victorian Department of Health to enforce compliance with recent vaping reforms.
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