Today
Metcash CEO calls for national rollout of new illicit tobacco laws
The company is the largest supplier to independent supermarkets in Australia, which have been hit by the surging trade in illegal cigarettes.
Yesterday
NSW appeals for extra funds to fight tobacco black market
The state’s health minister has called for more resources to combat illegal tobacco as smokers try to escape high excise duties.
October
Woolies is down $8b in 10 weeks. These numbers say there’s no quick fix
CEO Amanda Bardwell insists she can see momentum at the struggling retail giant. But impatient investors will focus on two ugly numbers in its latest result.
September
The government has a tough climate policy task
Readers’ letters on the need for social licence for climate policy, energy security, Trump’s paracetamol claims, Albanese in New York and Nvidia’s AI deals.
Australia’s tobacco crackdown has created a gangster’s paradise
The government has inadvertently helped enrich powerful gangs who are resorting to violence to retain their financial advantage.
Up in smoke: Cigarette sales plunge 22pc
Legal cigarette sales plunged 22 per cent over the past year, underlining the policing and government budget challenges from the rampant black market.
August
WFH gets political | ASX confuses its TPGs | Lithium bailout
James and Anthony discuss the new battle between bosses and workers, the government’s bet on a lithium miner and a $400 million mix-up on the ASX.
AI jobs pain here | Tax fix for productivity | Tobacco wars hit ASX
James and Anthony discuss the first AI job cuts, preview the productivity summit, and explain why cigarette retailers are hurting.
July
Viva Energy reports 27pc fall in tobacco sales in black market surge
The company behind Shell and Liberty service stations says slump in cigarette purchases has driven a significant decline in revenue from its convenience stores.
How $13 smokes smacked Metcash’s tobacco sales 40pc in four years
The supermarket supplier’s numbers are indisputable proof of how the illegal tobacco trade is running rife.
ASX giant’s plunge shows illegal tobacco crisis is deepening
You can’t help feeling Viva Energy’s woes have been compounded by a crisis not of its making which is spiralling further out of control.
More vape penalties on the way, but will they be harder to buy?
NSW follows Queensland and South Australia in increasing penalties and shutting stores which sell illegal tobacco and vapes, but inconsistency abounds.
June
Metcash calls for action on organised crime as tobacco sales plunge
The grocery wholesaler reported a 20 per cent drop in cigarette sales during this year due to a surge in black market trade.
Minns wants tobacco tax cut to fight crime gangs
NSW Premier Chris Minns has joined Victoria in blaming soaring tobacco taxes for the rise in illegal cigarette sales.
Food orders on HungryPanda delivery app come with a side of black market vapes
New laws are designed to restrict sale to pharmacies, but vapes are “as easy to buy as sweet and sour pork” on one popular food delivery app.
March
How authorities lost control of the tobacco trade
Tuesday’s budget revealed that billions of dollars in tobacco duties are being evaded, amid fears a flood of illegal cigarettes is unstoppable.
How a $10 billion tobacco tax became a smuggler’s jackpot
Our tobacco policies haven’t made it more expensive to smoke. They’ve actually made it cheaper to smoke.
The crackdown on smokers has left a $9b hole. Here’s how to fix it
Treasury expects to collect just $7.1 billion in tobacco excise next financial year, as high prices force consumers to buy illegal cigarettes.
February
Chalmers was told his plan would fuel black market ciggies. He did it anyway
Warnings from Treasury that soaring excise rates would force smokers to look for cheaper, illegal cigarettes have been borne out, raising crime and reducing revenue.
Australia’s $10b tobacco mistake that’s helping criminals thrive
Unless and until we pair our tobacco taxes with matchingly strong enforcement, we’ll keep failing to fight illegal tobacco and cut smoking rates.