Illegal cigarettes are getting easier to find – and harder to stop

Résumé détaillé

Retail NZ said 27% of tobacco smoked in 2024 was illicit.

A former top cop who created and led the Australian Border Force's Tobacco Strike Team says making legal cigarettes cheaper could help stop sales of illegal ones. Photo / 123rf

Tips from the public are informing the Government’s anti-black market tobacco group, but experts say the illicit supply chain is growing and evolving.

Data released to RNZ through an OIA shows the group has had 250 tips from the public since they were formed in May through till September this year.

The majority came from Health NZ referrals, followed by the Crimestoppers tipline.

A months-long RNZ investigation has found illicit tobacco is being sold over the counter without mandated health warnings and for a fraction of the cost of retail brands.

They were typically sold without the hefty excise tax, with one East Auckland store selling black market cigarettes for as low as $13.

In April, Retail New Zealand released a report saying 27% of tobacco smoked in 2024 was illicit tobacco.

Importing cigarettes without paying the excise duty is illegal, as is selling illicit smokes, and offenders can face a fine or prison time.

To tackle the issue, the Government formed the Illicit Tobacco Action Group in May, made up of Customs, Police and Health officials.

Début de l'article, extrait de NZ Herald. Pour lire la suite, ouvrez l'article chez le média.