Australia Cracks Down on Tobacco Black Market

0:00What's up Sydney? This is Sydney News Today, bringing you the city's fastest updates on what is happening now. The Australian government is considering a bold move to shut down standalone tobacconists and limit cigarette sales to places like supermarkets. This aims to tackle the growing black market in tobacco. Officials also plan new laws with harsher penalties, treating top tobacco criminals like drug lords by allowing wiretaps and quick seizures of there. Cars, homes, and cash. Earlier this week, assistant minister Julian Hill highlighted how small tobacconists have become hot spots for crime, including fire bombings. He ruled out cutting tobacco taxes to compete with cheap illegal smokes, saying it would not fix the organized crime networks from Asia and the middle. East, the impact has been huge on government revenue, with tobacco excise expected to bring in just $5.5 billion this year, down from a $14.2 billion forecast. Over the decade, legal smoking declines could create a $67 billion budget shortfall, despite higher taxes for cigarette.

1:05States like South Australia and Queensland have curved the black market better through targeted patrols, while victorious struggles with fewer checks. Federal seizures tripled to 2.6 billion cigarettes last year, but authorities admit border controls alone are not enough. New laws coming soon will triple penalties to 5 to 15 years in prison for illicit tobacco crimes. Success means fewer crime-linked shops, no more fire bombings, rising prices for illegal products, and safer streets for honest retailers. The Daily News Now is made possible with support from our sponsor. What is cooler than cool, a pillow that plays your sound, S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com.