South Australia’s police commissioner has again raised the possibility of tougher illicit tobacco laws that would crack down on those who purchase — rather than just those who sell or traffic — the black market product.
Speaking to 891 ABC Adelaide this morning, Grant Stevens said the matter of penalising people caught buying illegal cigarettes was one that “needs to be considered”.
“There is an opportunity for people to avoid significant costs by purchasing illicit tobacco, and I think that there are questions that need to be asked about how we can kill off the market,” the commissioner said.
“Why are there no sanctions for people who are, essentially, creating the market for organised crime?
“It’s illegal to sell it [illegal tobacco], it’s illegal to import it — it’s not illegal to buy it and use it.”
Tobacco laws are enforced jointly by federal, state and territory authorities.
The commissioner, who issued a similar call two years ago, said while the problem was “not anywhere near as bad” as what it had become in the eastern states, it had nevertheless led to significant criminal activity in SA.
“We certainly have a problem with illicit tobacco distributors being the target of criminal offending, including arsons; we’ve had some drive-by shootings, we’ve had assaults,” he said.
“This is because there is this illicit market that has crept into South Australia.
“We have a dedicated taskforce that are investigating the criminal offending associated with the illicit tobacco market, and this illicit market that is being exploited by organised crime exists because the market has been able to flourish.”
His comments coincide with the seizure of more than one million illegal cigarettes and vapes in a series of raids throughout Western Australia and the Northern Territory, as well as national debate about ways to curb the illegal trade.
The federal opposition last week announced that a future Coalition government would take steps including slashing the tobacco excise by 80 per cent and legalising and taxing vapes and nicotine pouches.
Last month, One Nation unveiled a plan to slash the excise by 75 per cent.
But Labor has argued there is no evidence a dramatic cut would end the illicit trade and said slashing the excise would “kill people”.
“If we drop the excise, in the way that is being suggested by the Coalition, that’s a guarantee we will see smoking and vaping rates in this country increase. That will lead to deaths,” federal Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said earlier this month.
In a statement, South Australian Health Minister Blair Boyer said the government “treats tobacco addiction as a health issue and has no plans to change that approach”.
“Our focus is firmly on those who profit from that addiction and undertake illicit tobacco offences specifically related to the sale supply and possession of illicit tobacco for sale.”
