Like it not, I will use the US currency for the price of a packet of 20 fags from around the world.
US, $8 to $12
UK, $15 to $18
France, $12 to $14
Japan, $4 to $6
Indonesia $2 to $4
Portugal $6 to $7
Australia, $28 to $35
As you can note, cigarettes are very expensive in Australia and over 70% of the cost is government taxes, that increase often and has acted as a disincentive to smoking, a good thing. Australia's rate of smoking is around 10% of the adult population is one of the lowest in the world.
That is until the illegally imported cigarettes arrived that sell for around US$9, which is close to what the rest of the world pays.
That came the stand over tactics, 'buy our illegal cigarette or you business will be firebombed', and mayhem arrived, with many many outlets firebombed, with flats often in the same building.
The sale of vapes has been banned unless by doctor's prescription, yet vapes are readily available in the cigarette shops that sell illegal cigarettes.
It is a protection racket, which has now extended to nail salons, dance club venues, gyms, and new car businesses, one close to the dealership where I bought my car.
Let me draw a parallel. Extortion at cigarette shops that sold illegal cigarettes and vapes was ignored by governments, just as cops ignored manic ebike and electric scooter riders speeding along footpaths. Eventually authorities were forced into action, but had they clamped down on all before they became so big, Australia would be a better and more law abiding place.
The illegal cigarettes come in by container load from China and the Middle East, the latter via Singapore, I believe. I've seen and in a minor manner used AI. Surely can't technology detect the illegal cigarettes?
At best I suggest there has been a lack of political will, at worst, some very powerful people, and I don't mean gangs, have a vested interest.
This is mayhem that has never been seen before in my lifetime. Changing your vote on polling day will make no difference. A chilling statistic is in Victoria, nearly all Melbourne based, between mid year 2024 and mid year 2026, there has been 300 fire bombings, a shocking statistic.
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Is your pricing correct? I think legal cigarettes, packet of 20 is way more in Australia, more like $75 a packet
ReplyDeleteHere in Terrigal, NSW Coast - in the Supermarkets
Deletethe cost ranges from $45 to $55.
At the so called Smoke Shops - $10.
Colin
Illegal cigarettes come in through our borders. Those that work on the wharves and airports need to do the job they are being paid for by the government and shipping agencies , not working for the criminals . It is the same way guns and other illegal weapons are coming in. The Commonwealth Government needs to step up surveillance on entry points. Most of the trade is conducted by Middle eastern gangsters often living over seas.
ReplyDeleteThere are many illegal smoke shops that state governments have turned a blind eye to. The Sa government had a purge last year, but then closed their eyes again.
There has been talk about reducing the excise on cigarettes to bring the price in line with the illegal ones hence, in theory, reducing the demand on the chop chops shops. But as the excise is one of the highest sources of income for the governments (even though the money is meant to be going to health and health education) I can't see them doing that in the near future.
ReplyDeleteFrom a legal perspective, if the magistrates that dole out the sentences actually gave the fire bombers (often teenage gang members) more than a slap on the wrist that may help in reducing the re-offending - but again, I can't see that happening in the near future either.