Up in Smoke: The Real Crime Behind Cigarette Prices in Australia

[Amanda O]

I'm pissed - we should start a march over the price of cigarettes, just ludicrous that taxes for smokes are more severe than taxes for booze which, incredibly account for more domestic violence, fatalities and hospital resources. Of course just because some areas of the US and UK banned flavoured cigarettes our dumb ass pollies thought Oh Great - we can make a shit tonne of $$$s for our filthy deep pockets and we'll do the same ... over it! Read on for the stats.

Freedom in Australia? ... bullshit, always at a cost!

Up in Smoke: The Real Crime Behind Cigarette Prices in Australia - Langtrees Escort Directory

Explore Australia’s sky-high cigarette taxes, where the $17 billion in revenue really goes, and why smokers are coughing up more than cash. ??

au.langtrees.com

 

[Eve Smith]

Australia's high tobacco excise, aiming to deter smoking and generate revenue, has inadvertently fueled a thriving black market for illicit cigarettes. This has led to a situation where illegal, untaxed cigarettes are widely available at significantly lower prices than their legal counterparts, attracting organized crime and undermining government revenue.

 

[HappyPirate]

Australia's high tobacco excise, aiming to deter smoking and generate revenue, has inadvertently fueled a thriving black market for illicit cigarettes. This has led to a situation where illegal, untaxed cigarettes are widely available at significantly lower prices than their legal counterparts, attracting organized crime and undermining government revenue.

Yep I agree with your statement.

Federal Government Tax revenue is now Zero and all states are spending millions in fighting the illicit cigarettes, but the funniest fact is the organized crime groups are making millions of dollars on a product that is legal in Australia.
Well done Federal Government, what a bunch of idiot Politician.

 

[Toe_Dipping]

Australia's high tobacco excise, aiming to deter smoking and generate revenue, has inadvertently fueled a thriving black market for illicit cigarettes. This has led to a situation where illegal, untaxed cigarettes are widely available at significantly lower prices than their legal counterparts, attracting organized crime and undermining government revenue.

Yeah. But their ciggies and tobacco taste like they were hidden in a full septic tank when smuggled into the country.

I tried both cigarettes and the tobacco. Cheap for sure, but foul. I've gone back to my '$75 for 25 gm' rollie tobacco - I just make myself smoke less.

 

[WildBrumby]

I used to sit around with some old bushies listening to their stories of the old days in the cattle country.

A grader driver, bull catchers, head stockman, windmill mechanic, all leather skinned old men who'd be rolling their next smoke while the other hangs from their mouth smoldering.

All had smoked since they were in their youth one even had a smokers reflex in his sleep, his hand shaking to his mouth as if dragging on a dart.

These were old, old men....pensioners on a low income, none had the luxury of a super fund. The rising cost of tobacco didn't slow or stop them from smoking just made them tighten their belt on other necessities, often food.

As long as they had their tobacco, a tin mug of sweet black leaf tea or cans of Bush Chooks they were happy to pass the day chewing the fat of their younger days.

Rising tobacco or alcohol taxes doesn't slow smoking or drinking just makes for greater financial hardship in some communities.

 

[Amanda O]

Agreed WB, incredibly I just heard a story of a woman who lived to 104 yo and was a heavy smoker since 16 (ended up dying of diabetes). Their statistics just don't make any sense. Thinking on this I guess what I'm more pissed off about is the lack of freedom we have to make the decision for ourselves, rather the issue is forced by way of pricing. As Australians we took pride in differing ourselves from the rest of the world, but I guess some of our Canberra pollies believe their deep lining of pockets is way more important than our choices. Interestingly, flavoured cigarettes (such as menthol) were booted out of the UK nearly 3 years ago so it was only a matter of time Oz followed suit ... my question, WHY?

 

[WildBrumby]

Incredible how times change....used to be allowed to smoke in hospital!