Top Stories from Australia
June 05, 2026 by skynews.com.au
StoryAustralia's tobacco black market branded ‘global laughing stock’ as illegal rates trump dozens of countries
Australia's severe tobacco black market problem is termed a "total failure of policy" after Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed a 40% increase in national nicotine consumption from 2017 to 2025, with illicit products making up 80% of tobacco use. This far surpasses similar data from European nations, Canada, and New Zealand. Former police detective Rohan Pike criticized public health …
June 03, 2026 by theguardian.com
StoryNicotine use soars by 40% in eight years as Australian black market explodes
Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows a 40% increase in nicotine consumption between 2017 and 2025, mainly due to cheaper illegal tobacco products. Household spending on cigarettes has decreased to 2016 levels as legal cigarette prices tripled. Illegal tobacco now makes up 80% of consumption, impacting government revenue and public health. Debate surrounds whether to lower tobacco excise or …