Tasmanian Small Business Council wants state government to crack down on the illegal cigarette trade

The Tasmanian Small Business Council has expressed concerns about illegal cigarette trade after they were able to purchase an illegal pack of cigarettes for $30 cheaper than retail in the Hobart CBD.

Generic photo of cigarettes. Burning cigarette with ashtray, black background Picture: iStock

Small business representatives want to see the Tasmanian government “urgently crack down” on the illegal cigarette trade.

Tasmanian Small Business Council (TSBC) CEO Robert Mallett said the state’s streets were “awash with illegal cigarettes.”

“This illegal product is taking income from licensed small business operators and putting it into the hands of organised crime, for no health benefit,” Mr Mallett said.

“As the federal budget showed, the amount of money from the tobacco excise has crashed by over half, but the smoking rate has barely moved.

“On top of this, the state government’s recent decision to put vaping products back under the lock of a GP’s prescription has made illegal tobacco products even more attractive.

“It literally doesn’t add up.”

Robert Mallett from the Small Business Council. Picture: Linda Higginson

Mr Mallett said one of the members of the TSBC went to a shop in Hobart and was able to purchase an illegal pack of cigarettes for just $20, compared to the regular price of around $50.

Hobart Chamber of Commerce General Manager Pene Snashall said the illegal cigarette trade impacted small businesses.

“If you have an illegal outlet in a community or suburb, customers feel unsafe; they don’t want to go to businesses in that area,” Ms Snashall said.

“Other retailers get concerned, and it has a snowball effect in that over time, other small businesses don’t want to be in an area and close their doors.

“And that has a really huge impact on local communities because it is the small businesses in those local communities that support them.

“So it has a long-term and potentially detrimental effect on the community.”

Pene Snashall. Picture: supplied

Mental Health and Wellbeing Minister Roger Jaensch said the government was “working proactively” to enforce legislation regulating the legal sale of cigarettes and vapes while interpreting the supply and trade of illegal smoking products.

“All illicit products seized are destroyed and reported to the Australian Border Force and the Therapeutic Goods Administration, as the Commonwealth regulators of illicit tobacco and vaping products,” Mr Jaensch said.

“The Tasmania Department of Health also shares information with Biosecurity Tasmania, the Australian Border Force and Australia Post to help prevent illicit products from entering our state.

“We introduced a nation-leading Public Health Amendment (Vaping) Bill 2024, designed to curb the rising tide of youth vaping, safeguarding the health of future generations.

“Once passed, this will also see more Tobacco Control Officers employed.”

Mr Jaensch said the government was employing 6.7 full-time equivalent compliance officers to crack down on illegal tobacco.