I reported last week on how increases in tobacco excise have resulted in a significant decline in Australia’s tobacco excise revenue.
While illegal cigarettes are easily accessible and cost about $15 a pack, a legal packet of cigarettes now costs about $50 (tax and excise account for about $34).
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has announced that it is investigating ways to quantify the use of unlawful nicotine-related items in response to the rise in contraband cigarettes.
