New Illicit Tobacco Ladder Highlights Enforcement Gaps
The Australian Council on Smoking and Health (ACOSH) recently released a new Illicit Tobacco Ladder, shedding light on how each state and territory government in Australia is faring in their efforts to combat illicit tobacco. According to the report, Queensland and South Australia are leading the charge with robust enforcement and reform measures.
In contrast, other states have just begun to address the enforcement of laws against the illegal tobacco trade. The Cancer Council welcomes these findings, emphasizing the need for a coordinated and vigorous compliance strategy by Federal, State, and Territory governments. Alecia Brooks, Chair of the Cancer Council’s National Tobacco Issues Committee, remarked, "Australians want to see tighter controls on the illicit tobacco trade and effective enforcement being implemented across all states and territories."
This nationwide issue involves around 40,000 stores that sell tobacco, despite less than 10% of Australians being smokers. Stronger, long-term commitment and resources are essential, empowering regulators to work across jurisdictions to prioritise the health of Australians.
Need for Comprehensive Action
A concerted effort between all levels of government is necessary to make tobacco licensing stricter and to prevent suppliers from exploiting communities. Alecia Brooks added, "Anyone thinking about selling illicit tobacco should know that it is likely they will be caught and face extremely serious consequences – not only large fines, loss of licenses to operate, and loss of access to premises but also criminal charges."
Jacinta Reddan, CEO of Cancer Council Australia, highlighted the public health risks associated with smoking, which is linked to various cancers, including those of the lungs, mouth, and throat. "We must continue to fight this battle to protect our communities," she said.
Rachael Andersen, Director of Quit, urged, "We urge government at all levels to take action to curtail the illicit tobacco trade. When you consider that 66 Australian families still lose a loved one to smoking-related illness every day, we still have much work to do together to stop the harm caused by the tobacco industry."
The Cancer Council works to eliminate nicotine addiction for the good of all Australians. The National Tobacco Strategy aims to address illicit trade in tobacco, accelerating the decline in smoking rates further. Following the insights from the Illicit Tobacco Ladder, the drive for stronger enforcement becomes even more crucial.
Last updated: 20 April 2026, 10:49 am
