Australia risks losing ‘war on nicotine’ in same way as war on drugs as illegal tobacco sales explode
June 23, 2025 by theguardian.com
Australia risks losing ‘war on nicotine’ in same way as war on drugs as illegal tobacco sales explode
Australia is struggling with an ineffective approach to reducing nicotine use, sparking debate on combating the rise of illicit tobacco trade. Experts James Martin and Edward Jegasothy propose revamping tobacco taxation and vaping regulations. They argue that expensive legal cigarettes and restricted e-cigarette sales fuel the illegal market. Despite successful anti-smoking efforts, officials push for stricter enforcement over lower tobacco taxes. Calls for harm reduction strategies, including temporary excise removal and wider vape availability, arise. Concerns persist about illicit trade's impact on public health, with emphasis on balancing risks of smoking and vaping. Experts advocate for controlling supply and updating regulations to address the evolving tobacco landscape.
12.50% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 2.6 million current smokers in Australia 14.80% of men are current smokers but only 10.30% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR
