Illicit Tobacco's Prevalence and Impact
Nearly 80 per cent of tobacco purchases among young adult smokers in Australia are illegal, according to new research from Cancer Council NSW's Generation Vape study, released on 19th May 2026.
The study highlights the widespread normalisation of illicit tobacco among Australians aged 18 to 24, raising concerns about public health and the efficacy of current tobacco control measures.
Anita Dessaix, Chair of Cancer Council’s Public Health Committee, stated, "Illicit tobacco use has become normalised among young adults who smoke in Australia. This is not a small issue happening behind the scenes, it is happening out in the open, in everyday shops."
Retail Access and Challenges
The Generation Vape study found that tobacconists and tobacco shops are the most common sources of illicit tobacco, followed by convenience stores and corner shops. The availability of these products undermines decades of progress in public health.
Professor Becky Freeman, Chief Investigator of the study, remarked, "Young people are telling us that the price, paired with ease of access to illicit cigarettes, is driving their purchases."
Cancer Council warns that decreasing the legal tobacco tax will not compete with the low prices offered by illicit products, which are supplied by criminal gangs. They call for stronger enforcement to curb the supply of illicit tobacco and protect young Australians from nicotine addiction.
Researchers found a wide range of illicit products in circulation, including cigarettes that appeared to comply with Australia’s plain packaging and graphic health warnings up to 2024, but not with current warning requirements. Some products were fully branded packs that did not comply with Australian regulations.
Ms Dessaix noted, "Young people aren’t buying these products from shadowy online markets; they’re buying them from physical retailers operating in plain sight."
A 19-year-old female study participant expressed, "I refuse to buy legal cigarettes. I sell cigarettes at a bottom price because illicit ones are much cheaper."
The findings suggest that ongoing, high-impact public education campaigns are essential to educate young people about the harms of smoking and vaping, especially as young adulthood is a critical period for establishing long-term nicotine dependence.
