New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has dramatically confirmed that Labor's misguided approach to illicit tobacco has failed on health, on law enforcement, and on budget integrity.
The ABS data shows nicotine consumption in Australia has increased by almost 40 per cent since 2017, with illicit sources now accounting for 80 per cent of all tobacco consumed. This is up from just 12 per cent in 2017. The data also shows more people are smoking, with the quantity of tobacco consumed per person up 22 per cent from 2017.
Shadow Minister for Home Affairs Senator the Hon Jonno Duniam said the scale of the black market was a direct indictment of the government's failed enforcement-only strategy.
"The Australian Border Force has told us the government's efforts are failing. More than 200 tobacco outlets have been firebombed. Organised crime is making billions. And the Labor Government's answer is to keep doing more of the same," Senator Duniam said.
"Jim Chalmers says cutting the tobacco excise is 'not the solution' — but what is his solution? More inspectors who can't keep up. More raids that don't stick. More press conferences while the black market keeps growing.
“Based on today’s data, if this trend continues the entire tobacco market will be run by organised crime. Labor has no credible answer to this crisis."
Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care Senator the Hon Anne Ruston said the Albanese Government could no longer hide behind enforcement rhetoric when Australians were consuming more tobacco than ever before.
“These are not just statistics, it’s a public health crisis playing out in real time on Labor's watch and it has happened while the Albanese Government has done nothing meaningful to address the underlying drivers," Senator Ruston said.
"We told the Government when they announced their pharmacy-only vaping policy that it wasn't going to work and now we see quarterly e-cigarette consumption has more than tripled since Labor introduced its pharmacy-only vaping model in 2023.
"In 2023, Mark Butler said Labor’s policies would help to achieve a reduction in smoking rates to 5 per cent or less by 2030. However, Labor has presided over the wholesale erosion of Australia's nicotine control framework, increased smoking rates and a budget mess; the ABS data makes that undeniable."
The Coalition's Illegal Tobacco Taskforce, co-chaired by Mary Aldred MP and Senator Richard Colbeck, is developing a comprehensive policy response that addresses the Labor Government’s catastrophic failure to properly deal with illegal tobacco and the resultant increasing rate of smoking in Australia.
"We will bring a real policy alternative to the next election. Labor has had its chance and Australians are paying the price on health and safety," Senator Ruston said.
ENDS
@Anne_Ruston
/AnneRuston