New boss fires warning shot at criminals turning kids into nicotine addicts

The world’s first commissioner targeting e-cigarettes and illicit tobacco has set her sights on ganglords making a quick buck smuggling vapes and illegal tobacco into Australia.

Ganglords making a quick buck smuggling vapes and illegal tobacco into Australia are the target of a new national commissioner hellbent on halting the burgeoning black-market industry fuelling street violence and turning children into nicotine addicts.

Erin Dale, the first commissioner appointed in the world to solely target e-cigarettes and illicit tobacco knows she has her work cut out for her — bringing together federal and state crime fighting and health arms for a unified assault on the illicit, growing trade.

“We have to all come together in a co-ordinated approach, look at the seizure and disruption of these networks and also the health and environmental impacts on our country,” said Ms Dale, the first ever Illicit Tobacco and E-Cigarette Commissioner of Australia.

“Remember these illegal cigarettes and tobacco are being sold because they are a less risky option for underworld figures and they make them a whole lot of money to use for the much more sinister things they do. This is a problem for everyone and one that can only be tackled together.”

The world’s first Illicit Tobacco and E-Cigarette Commissioner Erin Dale with a warehouse full of seized tobacco and vapes. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The former Australian Border Force assistant commissioner was appointed full-time to the role in July this year and has already travelled the country looking for the best practices when it comes to surveillance, detection and education - as well as cracking down on the tobacconists and shop fronts that sell the products to everyday citizens.

She will bring federal and state counterparts to the table in November to plan ways to close any gaps that underworld figures are using to fuel their illegal businesses.

“We want to tackle the illicit market and educate our younger generation so we can make sure we are not creating a generation of nicotine adducts,” Ms Dale said, noting the government had invested $550 million across the Commonwealth to solve the “very serious problem”.

“There is a common misconception that this is a victimless crime. Every time a member of the public goes to buy illicit tobacco or a vape, what they are doing is lining the pockets of organised criminals,” Ms Dale said.

A small sample of the massive load of vapes seized in any one day at borders around the country. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“Organised crime is there to make money out of any commodity. They have their sights on illicit tobacco and vapes at the moment and we need to work hard and the government is very serious about this issue.”

Mrs Dale said she was determined to prevent a repeat of the violent tobacco war raging across Victoria and “all states are nervous” this could happen to them.

Since March last year serious organised crime gangs have been involved in a turf war resulting in more than 71 firebombings. Most targeted tobacco stores.

“Other states are definitely worried that this could happen to the next,” Ms Dale said, adding her appointment should be a clear signal to criminals around the world that Australia will play hard ball and treat tobacco and e-cigarettes as seriously as they do cocaine and other illicit drug importation.

Since new regulations banning the import of disposable vapes began in January, the ABF and

Therapeutic Goods Administration have jointly seized more than 5 million illicit vapes, keeping products off the street and out of the hands of young Australians, while putting a dent in the black-market supply chain.

Ganglords making a quick buck smuggling vapes and illegal tobacco into Australia are the target of a new national Commissioner. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Millions of dollars worth of vapes and illegal tobacco destined for our streets. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“That’s a significant amount and the ABF officers have been working tirelessly, they are trained to detect and seize and they have done a great job.”

The establishment of the Commissioner role follows the launch of the Government’s $63.4 million ‘Give Up For Good’ campaign, aimed at raising awareness of the health harms of smoking and vaping and encouraging Australians to take advantage of expanded quit support services.

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Originally published as New boss fires warning shot at criminals turning kids into nicotine addicts