Smoking out Australia's growing illicit tobacco market: Current trends and future challenges
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Cited by 3 publications
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A Content Analysis of Illicit Tobacco-Related Crimes Reported in Australian Media
Introduction Australian survey and seizure data suggest a growing illicit tobacco market. As an illicit product, accurately tracking trends in illicit tobacco growing, manufacture and sales is challenging. We examined trends in Australian illicit tobacco-related crimes using a content analysis of news articles. Methods We analysed Australian news articles identified in the Factiva database and government press releases describing Australian illicit tobacco-related crimes reported between January 2000 and December 2023. Sources were coded for crime type, location, product type, dollar value of seized products, methods of distribution or storage, agencies involved, and other crimes involved. Results We identified 447 crimes reported in 389 sources. The number of illicit-tobacco related crimes reported increased between 2000 and 2023. The most common crimes were possession of illicit tobacco (n=196/43.7%) and smuggling (n=187/41.8%), and the most common product type was ‘illicit cigarettes’ (n=197/44.1%). The most common distribution/storage method reported was via residential premises (n=98/21.9%). One-hundred and twenty incidents involved other crimes such as financial crimes involving money laundering (n=59/13.2%). Across all included news articles, the quantity of seized products totalled 827,529,307 cigarette sticks, 76,185 cartons, 668,687 packs, 239 hectares (of land growing tobacco plants), and 2,149,000 plants of illicit tobacco between 2000 and 2023. The median value (worth; AUD) of each seizure was $1,500,000 (range $43 to $67,000,000). Conclusions Australian media reporting on illicit tobacco-related crimes increased over the past two decades, particularly since 2018. These findings highlight a need for improved border detection measures, investment in enforcement and other deterrent activities. Implications This media analysis confirms trends identified in national survey data that indicate a growing illicit tobacco market in Australia since 2013 with a marked increase since 2018. While survey data suggests that Australian tobacco tax policy, which has included regular large tax increases since 2010, has decreased consumer demand for tobacco overall, it may have also incentivised criminal networks to supply illicit tobacco products due to it being a ‘low risk’ and ‘high reward’ activity. Controlling the Australian illicit tobacco market should be a policy priority.
A Content Analysis of Illicit Tobacco-Related Crimes Reported in Australian Media
Introduction Australian survey and seizure data suggest a growing illicit tobacco market. As an illicit product, accurately tracking trends in illicit tobacco growing, manufacture and sales is challenging. We examined trends in Australian illicit tobacco-related crimes using a content analysis of news articles. Methods We analysed Australian news articles identified in the Factiva database and government press releases describing Australian illicit tobacco-related crimes reported between January 2000 and December 2023. Sources were coded for crime type, location, product type, dollar value of seized products, methods of distribution or storage, agencies involved, and other crimes involved. Results We identified 447 crimes reported in 389 sources. The number of illicit-tobacco related crimes reported increased between 2000 and 2023. The most common crimes were possession of illicit tobacco (n=196/43.7%) and smuggling (n=187/41.8%), and the most common product type was ‘illicit cigarettes’ (n=197/44.1%). The most common distribution/storage method reported was via residential premises (n=98/21.9%). One-hundred and twenty incidents involved other crimes such as financial crimes involving money laundering (n=59/13.2%). Across all included news articles, the quantity of seized products totalled 827,529,307 cigarette sticks, 76,185 cartons, 668,687 packs, 239 hectares (of land growing tobacco plants), and 2,149,000 plants of illicit tobacco between 2000 and 2023. The median value (worth; AUD) of each seizure was $1,500,000 (range $43 to $67,000,000). Conclusions Australian media reporting on illicit tobacco-related crimes increased over the past two decades, particularly since 2018. These findings highlight a need for improved border detection measures, investment in enforcement and other deterrent activities. Implications This media analysis confirms trends identified in national survey data that indicate a growing illicit tobacco market in Australia since 2013 with a marked increase since 2018. While survey data suggests that Australian tobacco tax policy, which has included regular large tax increases since 2010, has decreased consumer demand for tobacco overall, it may have also incentivised criminal networks to supply illicit tobacco products due to it being a ‘low risk’ and ‘high reward’ activity. Controlling the Australian illicit tobacco market should be a policy priority.
The impact of tobacco control policies on illicit tobacco trade: A scoping review
IntroductionThere are concerns that progressively stringent tobacco control policies will result in increased illicit tobacco trade (ITT). We reviewed the international evidence base to identify studies examining the impact of tobacco control polices on ITT.MethodsGuided by JBI scoping review methodology, we searched six databases (PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science) in 2022 and 2024 for original research published in English since 2000. One reviewer screened titles and abstracts, and two reviewers screened full-text articles against inclusion criteria. We report the results according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews Checklist.ResultsWe identified 60 articles examining the impact of eight tobacco control policies or combination of policies on the ITT, including tobacco tax increases or decreases (n=43); menthol bans (n=5); decreasing allowable cigarette filter ventilation levels (n=1); standardised packaging (n=5); tobacco sales bans (n=1); a substantial reduction in the number of tobacco retailers (n=1); a very low nicotine content mandate (VLNC; n=2); and multicomponent policy interventions (n=4).ConclusionsThe available evidence is predominantly focused on the impact of tobacco tax increases on the ITT, with equal numbers of studies describing an increase in the ITT or no impact on the ITT, countering claims that tobacco tax increases are the primary driver of increased ITT. Evidence on the impact of other tobacco control policies on the ITT is limited. Collaborative efforts to develop accurate and consistent methods to assess the ITT are needed.ImplicationsTo our knowledge, this scoping review is the first to synthesise the available evidence on the association between multiple tobacco control policies and ITT. Findings suggest that evidence for the association between tobacco tax increases and ITT is mixed, with an equal number of studies (n=18) describing an increase or no impact of this policy on ITT. Evidence for the impact of other policies was limited; the only policies with some evidence for increasing the ITT include tobacco sales bans (n=1), a concurrent tobacco sales and smoking ban (n=2), and a hypothetical VLNC standard mandate (n=2).
s prescription model should be replaced by a more practicable, tightly regulated consumer sales model that restricts sales to adults.
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