Tobacco excise has passed a ‘tipping point’ and is fuelling black market, economists warn

Taxes now account for $28 of the average $40 price for a packet, following a triple-fold excise hike in ten years from 46c to $1.40 per cigarette
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Economists say regular increases to the tobacco excise have stopped working to further lower smoking rates, and are instead encouraging a soaring cigarette black market.
Instead, they suggest either a freeze or a cut to the excise rate while Australia cracks down on illicit tobacco. However a public health advocate warned policy-makers not to be “conned” into a radical tax cut. Continue reading...
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