Tobacco Excise Jumps Nearly 7% as Experts and Politicians Question Price-Led Strategy
Cigarette prices in Australia, already among the highest in the world, are set to jump by nearly 7% on Monday due to a scheduled rise in the tobacco excise. This increase comes amid escalating criticism that the government’s price-led anti-smoking policy is fueling an explosive black market, which has been linked to a surge in violent crime, including robberies and arson attacks.
Read moreSix months after France implemented a ban on disposable e-cigarettes, these popular “puffs” remain widely accessible through non-compliant grocery stores, vape shops, and a thriving online black market. Despite the law, which took effect on February 25th, many retailers continue to sell the banned products, often openly, while new devices designed to circumvent the regulation are already taking their place.
Read moreNew excise tax regulations that took effect in Poland on August 1st have introduced what experts are calling an absurd “double taxation” on vaping products, a move they warn is already fueling a significant expansion of the illicit market. The legislation extends excise duty not only to e-liquids but also to reusable vaping devices and their replaceable cartridges – a policy unprecedented within the European Union.
Read moreAs New South Wales (NSW) prepares to implement some of the nation’s toughest laws against the illicit tobacco trade, a broader debate is intensifying over whether Australia’s high tobacco taxes are inadvertently fueling a dangerous black market. The illicit trade has been linked to gang violence, robberies, and arson attacks, prompting a significant legislative and enforcement response.
Read moreA ban on flavored e-cigarettes and vape liquids, which took effect on January 1, 2025 in Latvia, has reportedly led to unintended negative consequences, including a surge in the illicit market and a significant state budget deficit. The law, which prohibited all vape flavors except tobacco, was intended to protect public health and limit youth access to these products.
Read moreJuly 2025 has proven to be a pivotal month in the global fight against the illicit e-cigarette trade. Law enforcement and customs agencies from Asia to Europe and the Americas have launched significant operations, resulting in the seizure of millions of dollars’ worth of illegal vaping products. This roundup details the key enforcement actions from around the world, painting a clear picture of a shadow industry under increasing pressure from regulators who are tackling everything from large-scale smuggling to local retail violations.
Read moreA special commission of the Israeli Tax Authority has presented recommendations to the Minister of Finance for a complete overhaul of how e-cigarettes are taxed and regulated, concluding that the current system has inadvertently created a massive black market. The report states that an exceptionally high tax rate, combined with ease of smuggling and a lack of effective oversight, has led to widespread tax evasion and significant loss of state revenue without successfully reducing consumption.
Read moreAustralia is now waging a “de facto war on nicotine” that risks the same failures as previous prohibition-style drug policies, according to some academic experts. They argue that the country’s strategy, characterized by the world’s most expensive legal cigarettes and an effective ban on retail e-cigarette sales, is directly responsible for an explosion in the black market for both products.
Read moreExperts warn UK’s June 1st disposable vape ban may fuel a dangerous black market, with millions potentially seeking illicit, unsafe products.
Read moreIndustry groups in Malaysia argue vape bans fuel illicit trade and harm consumers, advocating for regulation over prohibition.
The Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) has issued a strong caution to policymakers. The group warns that implementing outright bans on vape sales will likely drive consumers towards a dangerous black market. They advocate for a regulatory approach that prioritizes consumer safety, industry sustainability, and economic contributions.
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