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13A.8 What has been done in Australia to reduce avoidance and evasion of tobacco taxes?
Foreword

Relevant news and research: What has been done in Australia to reduce avoidance and evasion of tobacco taxes?

NSW Police Force, Australian Border Force and NSW Health (2025). Four charged, $2.3m illicit tobacco seized following week of action – Far North Coast. . Available from: https://www.abf.gov.au/newsroom-subsite/Pages/Four-charged,-$2-3-illicit-tobacco-seized-following-week-of-action-%E2%80%93-Far-North-Coast.aspx


The Hon. Ryan Park MP (2025). Minns Labor Government begins illegal tobacconist shut down. . Available from: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/20251105_00.aspx


The Hon. Ryan Park MP (2025). Illegal tobacco stores shut down in Illawarra and Riverina. . Available from: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/20251121_01.aspx


Australian Border Force (2025). Australian Border Force launches the National Disruption Group to break the business model of the illicit tobacco trade. . Available from: https://www.abf.gov.au/newsroom-subsite/Pages/Australian-Border-Force-launches-the-National-Disruption-Group-to-break-the-business-model-of-the-illicit-tobacco-trade.aspx


Australian Border Force (2025). Brazen attempts to import illicit tobacco revealed in new ABF data. . Available from: https://www.abf.gov.au/newsroom-subsite/Pages/Brazen-attempts-to-import-illicit-tobacco-revealed-in-new-ABF-data.aspx


The Hon Tony Burke MP (2025). Illicit Tobacco National Disruption Group. . Available from: https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/TonyBurke/Pages/illicit-tobacco-national-disruption-group.aspx


Therapeutic Goods Administration (2025). Illegal vapes and cigarettes worth close to $9 million seized in joint operation. . Available from: https://www.tga.gov.au/news/media-releases/illegal-vapes-and-cigarettes-worth-close-9-million-seized-joint-operation


Australian Border Force (2025). Christmas plans smoked out as illicit tobacco smuggler is removed from Australia. . Available from: https://www.abf.gov.au/newsroom-subsite/Pages/Christmas-plans-smoked-out-as-illicit-tobacco-smuggler-is-removed-from-Australia.aspx


Australian Border Force (2025). Prominent crime figures sentenced following illicit tobacco investigation. . Available from: https://www.abf.gov.au/newsroom-subsite/Pages/Prominent-crime-figures-sentenced-following-illicit-tobacco-investigation.aspx


Australian Border Force, Australian Federal Police and Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (2025). Mixed bag of illicit goods seized following operation across state borders. . Available from: https://www.abf.gov.au/newsroom-subsite/Pages/Mixed-bag-of-illicit-goods-seized--following-operation-across-state--borders.aspx#


Australian Border Force, Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police (2025). Major alleged illicit tobacco supplier arrested in Melbourne. . Available from: https://www.abf.gov.au/newsroom-subsite/Pages/Major-alleged-illicit-tobacco-supplier-arrested-in-Melbourne.aspx


Australian Taxation Office and Victoria Police (2025). Targeted strike to illicit tobacco trade. . Available from: https://www.ato.gov.au/media-centre/targeted-strike-to-illicit-tobacco-trade


The Honourable Tim Nicholls MP (2025). Illegal tobacco and vape crackdown continues with new nation-leading laws. . Available from: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/103538


Therapeutic Goods Administration (2025). TGA and Victoria Police working together to target illegal vape sales in Melbourne. . Available from: https://www.tga.gov.au/news/media-releases/tga-and-victoria-police-working-together-target-illegal-vape-sales-melbourne


Australian Border Force (2025). 30 million cigarettes, 400 thousand vapes and 5 tonnes of tobacco seized in Queensland’s biggest ever bust.  ,  ,  . Available from: https://www.abf.gov.au/newsroom-subsite/Pages/30-million-cigarettes,-400-thousand-vapes-and-5-tonnes-of-tobacco-seized-in-Queensland%E2%80%99s-biggest-ever-bust.aspx


Australian Border Force (2025). Criminal syndicate left reeling after massive illicit tobacco bust.  ,  ,  . Available from: https://www.abf.gov.au/newsroom-subsite/Pages/Criminal-syndicate-left-reeling-after-massive-illicit-tobacco-bust.aspx


Australian Border Force, Gold Coast Public Health Unit, Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and Australian Taxation Office (2025). Criminal syndicate left reeling after massive illicit tobacco bust.  ,  ,  . Available from: https://www.ato.gov.au/media-centre/criminal-syndicate-left-reeling-after-massive-illicit-tobacco-bust


Murphy, R. (2025). Authorities want more powers to deal with WA's illegal tobacco industry. ABC News,  ,  . Available from: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-18/wa-authorities-want-more-powers-to-deal-with-illegal-tobacco/105651648


Rawsthorne, S. and Duffin, P. (2025). How NSW Health uses children in illicit tobacco shop stings. The Age,  ,  . Available from: https://www.theage.com.au/national/how-nsw-health-uses-children-in-illicit-tobacco-shop-stings-20250819-p5mo1h.html


Australian Border Force (2025). Tobacco takedown: New data reveals a historic high in illicit hauls. . Available from:


Australian Border Force (2025). ABF strikes record illicit tobacco detections across NSW. . Available from:


Australian Border Force and New South Wales Police (2025). MAST detectives seize 46 million illicit cigarettes; additional charges laid. . Available from:


Callinan, R. and Walsh, L. (2025). Macquarie Group-backed ATM provider begins removing machines from suspected illegal tobacco stores. ABC News. Available from:


Callinan, R. and Walsh, L. (2025). Macquarie Group company's private ATMs are helping fuel the illegal tobacco trade. ABC News. Available from:


Miller, A. (2025). Illicit tobacco is 'out in the open' but what is the best way to deal with it?. ABC News. Available from:


The Hon Ryan Park MP (2025). Suite of tough new illegal tobacco measures unveiled. . Available from:


Australian Border Force (2025). Multi agency focus to bring down criminals this World No Tobacco Day. . Available from: https://www.abf.gov.au/newsroom-subsite/Pages/Multi-agency-focus-to-bring-down-criminals-this-World-No-Tobacco-Day.aspx


Australian Taxation Office (2025). From whisper to warrant: $4.4 million of illicit tobacco seized. . Available from: https://www.ato.gov.au/media-centre/from-whisper-to-warrant


The Hon Mark Butler MP (2025). Illicit Tobacco and E-Cigarette Commissioner appointment. . Available from: https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/illicit-tobacco-and-e-cigarette-commissioner-appointment


Australian Border Force and Victoria Police (2025). Lunar arrests in connection to offshore illicit tobacco syndicate leader. . Available from: https://www.abf.gov.au/newsroom-subsite/Pages/Lunar-arrests-in-connection-to-offshore-illicit-tobacco-syndicate-leader.aspx


Australian Federal Police (2025). Charge upgraded for WA man allegedly involved in cross-border $1.96 million cash and tobacco trafficking. . Available from: https://www.afp.gov.au/news-centre/media-release/charge-upgraded-wa-man-allegedly-involved-cross-border-169-million-cash


Bailey, D. (2025). Police seize millions of cigarettes, tonnes of tobacco in SA raids. ABC News. Available from: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-12/sa-police-seize-cigarettes-tobacco-cash/105282606


Australian Taxation Office (2025). Putting the chop on illicit tobacco crops. . Available from: https://www.ato.gov.au/media-centre/putting-the-chop-on-illicit-tobacco-crops


Australian Taxation Office and Victoria Police (2025). Viper arrest 14 and seize $4.8m worth of illicit tobacco. . Available from: https://www.ato.gov.au/media-centre/viper-arrest-14-and-seize-$4-8m-worth-of-illicit-tobacco


O'Connell, L. and Dowsett, D. (2025). Illegal cigarettes and tobacco seized after North Queensland raids. ABC News. Available from: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-10/illegal-tobacco-and-vapes-raid-in-mackay/105156882


The Honourable Tim Nicholls (2025). Tough new fines to extinguish illegal tobacco and vapes. . Available from: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/102326


Australian Border Force, Australian Taxation Office and Victoria Police (2025). Crop goes up in smoke thanks to tobacco tip-off. . Available from: https://www.abf.gov.au/newsroom-subsite/Pages/Crop-goes-up-in-smoke-thanks-to-tobacco-tip-off.aspx


Australian Border Force, Australian Taxation Office and Victoria Police (2025). Crop goes up in smoke thanks to tobacco tip-off. . Available from: https://www.ato.gov.au/media-centre/crop-goes-up-in-smoke-thanks-to-tobacco-tip-off


Cancer Council (2025). Cancer Council welcomes Federal Government's commitment to strengthening tobacco law enforcement. . Available from: https://www.cancer.org.au/media-releases/2025/strengthening-tobacco-law-enforcement


Government of South Australia (2025). More police powers and harsher fines against the illicit tobacco and vape trade. . Available from: https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/media-releases/news-items/more-police-powers-and-harsher-fines-against-the-illicit-tobacco-and-vape-trade


Preventive Health SA (2025). Tougher illicit tobacco and e-cigarette laws come into effect in South Australia. . Available from: https://www.preventivehealth.sa.gov.au/about/news-announcements/tougher-illicit-tobacco-and-e-cigarette-laws-come-into-effect-in-south-australia


The Hon Mark Butler MP (2025). Action to combat the trade of illicit tobacco. . Available from: https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/action-to-combat-the-trade-of-illicit-tobacco


Australian Border Force and French Costums in New Caledonia (2025). ABF assists French Costums in New Caledonia in historic seizure of illicit tobacco. . Available from: https://www.abf.gov.au/newsroom-subsite/Pages/ABF-assists-French-Customs-in-New-Caledonia-in-historic-seizure-of-illicit-tobacco.aspx#


Boisvert, E. and Landau, S. (2025). Operation Eclipse police seize tobacco, cash in SA raids. ABC News. Available from: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-25/operation-eclipse-police-seize-tobacco-cash-in-sa-raids/104979308


South Australia Police (2025). Operation Eclipse searches leads to biggest find yet. . Available from: https://www.police.sa.gov.au/sa-police-news-assets/front-page-news/operation-eclipse-searches-leads-to-biggest-find-yet


Australian Border Force (2025). Travellers refused entry after smuggling 70,000 cigarettes into Sydney. . Available from: https://www.abf.gov.au/newsroom-subsite/Pages/Travellers-refused-entry-after-smuggling-70,000-cigarettes-into-Sydney.aspx#


Australian Border Force (2024). Illicit tobacco delivery driver syndicate smoked out. . Available from: https://www.abf.gov.au/newsroom-subsite/Pages/Illicit-tobacco-delivery-driver-syndicate-smoked-out-19-12-24.aspx


Earlier news and research

For news items and research on this topic earlier than 2025, click here.

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Chapter 2