Victoria's Crackdown on Illegal Tobacco Trade

The Australian state of Victoria is tightening its laws to give authorities more power to shut down businesses selling illegal tobacco. This initiative follows data indicating a sharp rise in nicotine use, fueled by high prices of legal products and the prevalence of illicit tobacco in the market.

The Australian state of Victoria has introduced new legislation aimed at curbing the illegal tobacco trade. The proposed laws will empower authorities to close shops selling illicit tobacco as nicotine usage surges across the country.

As Australia imposes a federal tax of A$1.50 ($1.07) per cigarette, the cost of legal tobacco products has skyrocketed, reaching more than A$60 per pack. These soaring prices are partly attributed to the spike in illegal tobacco consumption.

The Victorian government states that non-compliance with the new legislation could result in fines exceeding A$2.4 million and up to 20 years in prison, emphasizing a concerted effort to address organized crime and safeguard public health.