Action Group Targeting Illicit Tobacco A Great First Step

Retail NZ is welcoming the establishment of an Action Group to better target the growing illicit tobacco market in New Zealand.

Customs Minister, Casey Costello, this afternoon announced that Customs, New Zealand Police, Health New Zealand, and the Ministry of Health have joined forces to better target and dismantle the illegal tobacco trade.

“Retail NZ is pleased that the Government has recognised the illicit tobacco market is an immediate concern for New Zealand that requires targeted action now.” Retail NZ Chief Executive, Carolyn Young, says.

“Retail NZ's recent report into the illicit tobacco market, Time is Running Out to Quit Illicit Tobacco, revealed just how quickly the situation became out-of-control in Australia, with international organised crime groups taking hold and establishing a highly-profitable illicit market that's resulted in huge levels of violence, retailers being firebombed, threatened and even deaths,” Ms Young says.

Official Australian estimates suggest illicit tobacco accounts for 50-60% of the market share, though some independent industry insiders believe this is an underestimate and the market share could be as high as 75%. 

“We can’t just watch and wait for the same to happen here in Aotearoa, and we welcome the Government taking this action of ensuring all the agencies involved in combatting the illicit tobacco market can work together on stamping it out here,” Ms Young says.

But while this is a great first step, Retail NZ would like to see the Government go even further.

“We would like for further investment in Customs to enhance our border protections and intelligence, tougher penalties for those caught importing and selling illicit tobacco, and banning online tobacco sales,” Ms Young says.

“We also believe establishing an independent panel of experts to consider what tobacco controls, enforcement tools, and enhanced public messaging could make a meaningful difference in this space would be hugely beneficial in finding a way to stamp out the market for good.”

“Strong action now is important to ensure we can protect New Zealand's public health objectives and fight against organised crime,” MS Young says.

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