The rising cost of legal cigarettes in Australia, driven by high taxes and excise, has led to a significant increase in the black market for tobacco. This illicit market is costing the country billions in lost revenue and is fueling organized crime and terrorism finance. Experts, including Deakin University Criminologist Doctor James Martin, attribute the growth of illegal alternatives to the high price of legal smoking. Sky News host Caleb Bond notes that this has resulted in massive outbreaks of gang crime. The NSW Crime Commission is actively seeking to address the issue, which also includes illegal imports of tobacco and vape products, as well as the use of cryptocurrency and luxury cars by Sydney’s underworld.
Illegal tobacco and vape imports, cryptocurrency and luxury cars are all incredibly lucrative for Sydney’s underworld – the NSW Crime Commission is looking to change that. MORE 👉 https://t.co/YtsrvJKX4f https://t.co/lmFHmq3Tuu
Deakin University Criminologist Doctor James Martin says as the cost of legal smoking rises, organised crime groups continue to grow with illegal alternatives. https://t.co/nTMEAOTw55
Sky News host Caleb Bond says as the tobacco excise and tax climbs, people are finding other ways to consume nicotine which has led to massive outbreaks of gang crime. https://t.co/x4XKz11bQL
The black market for cigarettes has exploded in plain sight, costing Australia billions in revenue. Some experts say the high price of cigarettes is to blame. https://t.co/j2SDMjp9ry
High cigarette taxes generate crime and corruption, and the resulting black markets are a fuel for terrorism finance. Collateral damage from the political zeal for higher revenues. https://t.co/EhYCSv9GSo https://t.co/I0syZ9Wupi