New fuel poured on Melbourne’s fiery tobacco wars

The illicit tobacco trade could be among the biggest winners from the state budget, with fears a key detail has played right into the hands of organised crime gangs.

There are serious concerns that the state’s illicit tobacco trade will continue to run rampant as the number of smoke shop visits undertaken by local councils and Victoria Police records a significant drop.

State budget papers show a 44.7 per cent reduction in the amount of regulatory visits to tobacco shops undertaken by various enforcement agencies in the upcoming financial year.

The Department of Health’s performance statement shows 2710 visits to smoke and vape shops were undertaken in the 2022-23 financial year, but have set a target of only 1500 visits for the next 12 months.

The drop in police and local council officers attending the smoke shops could allow the black market trade to continue fuelling organised crime syndicates, it is feared.

Melbourne’s tobacco wars continue to rage, with nearly 10 shops torched since May 11.

Australian Association of Convenience Stores chief executive Theo Foukkare said patrols of cigarette stores needed to be ramped up, not wound back in the current market.

“At a time where we need significantly increased compliance checks this is exactly the opposite of what needs to be happening … it’s disappointing,” he said.

Mr Foukkare said he hoped the state government’s tobacco and licensing scheme would help dismantle the black market given the escalating friction that has seen nearly 10 tobacco shops torched since May 11.

Victoria Police said they had executed more than 100 search warrants and raids of smoke shops and warehouses.

Industry experts fear budget cuts will pour fresh fuel on the fiery tobacco wars.

“Taskforce Lunar was established last year to investigate the criminal activities of a number of organised crime groups, including their involvement in the illicit tobacco trade,” a spokeswoman said.

“Along with the VIPER Taskforce, detectives have executed warrants at a number of commercial premises believed to be linked to these syndicates.

“Police have also conducted patrols in the area of both residential and commercial properties, including tobacco stores, believed to be subject to active threats by members of the organised crime syndicates.

“Almost 60 people have been arrested by Taskforce Lunar as a part of these investigations. “We will continue to work closely with our state and Federal counterparts to target these organised crime syndicates.”

It is unclear how much of the federal budget’s cash allocation to the Australian Border Force would benefit Victoria, as much of that cash would be spent on overseas intelligence.

Smoke shops in Epping, Hadfield, Gladstone Park, Fawkner, Glenroy, Meadow Heights and Ararat were all targeted and set alight in quick succession recently.