Cutting excise tax is not going to solve illicit tobacco: here’s why
June 26, 2026 by healthcoalition.org.nz
Cutting excise tax is not going to solve illicit tobacco: here’s why
Cutting tobacco excise alone will not fix illicit trade if the wider policy environment still drives consumers towards unregulated markets. Illegal tobacco is shaped by organised supply chains, enforcement gaps, high demand and the lack of realistic alternatives for smokers. A stronger response should combine targeted enforcement with harm reduction, accurate risk communication and legal access to lower-risk nicotine products. The goal should be reducing smoking-related harm, not relying on tax policy alone.
