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ABS Estimates 80% of Tobacco Consumed in Australia Last Year Illegal Amid 'Rapid Growth' in Black Market
The bureau said total nicotine use rose 40% as illegal products became cheaper and more available, while legal tobacco consumption fell sharply.
- On Wednesday, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that illegal products accounted for 80% of nicotine consumption in 2025, marking a dramatic increase from 12% in 2017.
- Steep excise increases have tripled legal tobacco prices since 2016, driving smokers toward cheaper illicit alternatives; Deakin University criminologist James Martin called this a 'massive policy failure' benefiting organized crime.
- Using experimental wastewater testing, the ABS revealed nicotine consumption rose 40% since 2017, while the Australian Border Force seized more than 1,000 tonnes of illicit tobacco since late 2025.
- Australian Association of Convenience Stores CEO Theo Foukkare warns that 'prohibition by price' pushes legitimate retailers toward the illicit market, though the federal government maintains its border enforcement strategy.
- As illicit retailers increasingly move operations online to bypass physical shutdowns, Queensland Health faces persistent challenges. Researchers suggest disrupting supply chains rather than relying solely on price-based disincentives.
Insights by Ground AI
15 Articles
15 Articles
In Australia, nicotine use has increased by 40 percent since 2017. This is primarily due to the enormous growth in illegal tobacco sales.
·Netherlands (Kingdom of the)
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ABS estimates 80% of tobacco consumed in Australia last year illegal amid 'rapid growth' in black market
The experimental estimates are based on "nicotine metabolite concentrations" detected in wastewater samples, combined with data showing a collapse in spending on legal cigarettes and vapes.
·New Zealand
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Sydney Morning Herald+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
The data that destroys the idea that Australians are quitting smoking
New evidence pulled from the nation’s sewers reveals just how dominant the illegal tobacco market is – with up to four in five cigarettes now of the illicit variety.
·North Sydney, Australia
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources15
Leaning Left5Leaning Right5Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution39% Left, 38% Right
Bias Distribution
- 39% of the sources lean Left, 38% of the sources lean Right
39% Left
L 39%
C 23%
R 38%
Factuality
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