Illicit tobacco trade in Queensland 'exploding' with authorities powerless to stop it, industry groups say
3 years, 4 months ago

Illicit tobacco trade in Queensland 'exploding' with authorities powerless to stop it, industry groups say

ABC  

The illicit tobacco trade in Queensland is "exploding" with industry groups and police saying there are no state laws to stop it or the organised crime running it. Key points: Black market traders sell tobacco for a third or half the retail price Illegal tobacco products sold include chop-chop, imported cigarettes and in some cases, vapes Border Force says black market tobacco trade costs government $900 million in revenue In the past year, one tobacco shop has opened every week in south-east Queensland with around 70 stores now selling illicit tobacco in plain sight near legitimate retailers. Theo Foukkare, CEO of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores, said enforcement of the illicit tobacco trade at a state level was "complicated" because Queensland police had to contact up to four different federal and state government departments to arrange a warrant. ABF Special Investigations Project head, Commander Greg Linsdell said the illicit tobacco trade was not a "victimless" crime and underlined the Commonwealth's efforts to reduce the impact of smoking on the public's health.

Crime Health Industry Tobacco Commonwealth State Supplied Queensland Brisbane Queensland Police Organised Crime Illegal Tobacco Ato Queensland Health Illicit Industry Groups Private Investigators Ittf British American Tobacco Illicit Tobacco Serious Organised Crime Imported Cigarettes No Legislative Action Illegal Traders Foukarre Illegal Tobacco Products Legitimate Retailers Mr Foukarre Illicit Tobacco Trade  queensland  groups  industry  state  trade  crime  illegal  traders  health  tobacco  powerless  exploding  say  illicit  ato  stop

History of this topic

Under the counter deals, 'chop-chop' and arson attacks: Inside Victoria's illegal tobacco market
1 year, 4 months ago

Under the counter deals, 'chop-chop' and arson attacks: Inside Victoria's illegal tobacco market

ABC  

It's the middle of the afternoon in an independent grocery store in Melbourne's outer suburbs and Nick* is standing behind the counter. "All the shops, like the fruit shop, the grocery shop, the tobacco shop, they sell this one," Nick says, referring to illegally imported cigarettes. Jenny*, who works at a major franchise tobacconist in a shopping strip in Melbourne's …

Australia announces sweeping crackdown on vaping
1 year, 10 months ago

Australia announces sweeping crackdown on vaping

Firstpost  

Australia announced a sweeping crackdown on vaping Tuesday, accusing tobacco companies of hooking the next “generation of nicotine addicts” by deliberately targeting teenagers. “Just like they did with smoking, Big Tobacco has taken another addictive product, wrapped it in shiny packaging and added flavours to create a new generation of nicotine addicts.” People will still be allowed to use vapes, …

Australia to ban recreational vaping in ‘Big Tobacco’ crackdown
1 year, 10 months ago

Australia to ban recreational vaping in ‘Big Tobacco’ crackdown

Al Jazeera  

Australia will ban single-use disposable vapes, halt imports of non-prescription versions, and restrict how much nicotine e-cigarettes may contain. Australia has announced a sweeping crackdown on vaping, accusing tobacco companies of hooking the next “generation of nicotine addicts” by deliberately targeting teenagers. Billed as the country’s largest anti-smoking reforms in a decade, Australia announced on Tuesday it will ban single-use …

Police destroy $20 million illegal tobacco plantation in central west NSW
1 year, 11 months ago

Police destroy $20 million illegal tobacco plantation in central west NSW

ABC  

Police have found and destroyed a 16-tonne crop of illegal tobacco in central west New South Wales. Key points: The tax office says an equivalent amount of tobacco to that seized would have generated $28 million in excise It is illegal to grow tobacco in Australia without a licence There have been no licensed tobacco growers since 2006 Police received …

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