2FIRSTS | Australian Coalition Unveils Illicit Tobacco Plan With 80% Excise Cut and Legal, Taxed Vapes and Nicotine Pouches
Australia's opposition Coalition proposes an 80% tobacco excise cut and legalizing taxed vapes and nicotine pouches to combat illicit trade and organized crime.Summary
Australia's opposition Coalition has announced a major policy to combat the illicit tobacco market. The plan centers on an 80% reduction in tobacco excise, which would cut the tax on a standard 20-pack from approximately A$30 to A$6. It also proposes creating legal, regulated, and taxed adult markets for vaping products and nicotine pouches, replacing the current restricted pharmacy-only model. Vapes would face an excise of A$0.50 per millilitre, and pouches A$0.025 per milligram of nicotine. The package includes A$200 million for law enforcement and A$60 million for public education campaigns. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor argues this will narrow the price gap with illicit products, undermining organized crime which profits billions annually. However, public health groups and the Labor government warn the move could reverse decades of progress in reducing smoking rates by making cigarettes significantly cheaper.
(Source：2Firsts)
