AUSTRALIA'S illicit tobacco consumption has reached an all-time high as tobacco excise pushes the cost of cigarettes to record levels.The annual KPMG UK report into illicit tobacco consumption in Australia found the illicit trade now accounted for about 20.7 per cent of total tobacco consumption, a huge increase from 14.1 per cent last year.
It follows a $12.5 million illegal tobacco operation uncovered in Gunbower last month, as well as illegal tobacco sales in Seymour in the past few years.
“Rather than discouraging people from smoking, we believe that multiple tobacco excise increases have sent smokers to the black market in search of cheaper tobacco,” Philip Morris managing director Tammy Chan said.Despite the world’s toughest tobacco control measures, there are still about three million smokers in Australia, with official data showing that between 2014-15 and 2017-18 the daily smoking rate remained ‘relatively similar’, only declining from 14.5 per cent to 13.8 per cent. “It’s time to try something new to bring smoking rates down in Australia,” Ms Chan said.
“A growing number of experts and health authorities acknowledge that smoke-free products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are better alternatives than continuing to smoke cigarettes and can make a positive contribution to improving public health.
“Changing regulations to allow adult smokers access to scientifically-substantiated smoke-free products, with the right oversight from government authorities, will encourage smokers to switch to better alternatives rather than continuing to smoke.”
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