Is Cutting Tobacco Excise Really a Gift to Big Tobacco?
August 24, 2026 by substack.com
Is Cutting Tobacco Excise Really a Gift to Big Tobacco?
Cutting tobacco excise sounds politically risky, but the real question is whether current tax levels are reducing harm or fuelling the illicit market. Extremely high cigarette prices can lose their public health purpose once illegal tobacco becomes cheaper, more accessible and harder to control. Tax policy should discourage smoking without making criminal supply the most attractive option. A better strategy would combine realistic excise, strong enforcement and easier access to lower-risk alternatives.
11.00% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 2.4 million current smokers in Australia 12.90% of men are current smokers but only 9.30% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR
