THE illegal tobacco trade is costing lives and billions in revenue while enriching criminals.
Legalise Cannabis Party candidate, Mark Schneider, said the Federal Government should establish a monopoly over tobacco sales to combat the issue.
By restricting sales to government-controlled outlets and banning tobacconists and other retailers, organised crime would struggle to reach its market, Mr Schneider argued.
“Black market tobacco is being openly sold around Australia right now,” Mr Schneider said. “That’s putting millions into the hands of violent criminals while undercutting price controls that reduce smoking rates.
“It’s time for the government to take the next step toward ending the world’s most dangerous drug by putting its sale in the hands of an independent statutory body tasked with buying, selling, and policing control.
“This would raise large sums for health promotion and fund enforcement against illegal tobacco.”
Currently, illicit tobacco is marketed through suburban tobacconists with minimal enforcement at the retail level, despite customs’ efforts to intercept bulk shipments.
“This model controls supply, reducing outlets for criminals and funding enforcement,” he said.
“It mirrors the Nordic alcohol model, where government monopolies reduce harm.”
Mr Schneider emphasised this was his personal view, not official Legalise Cannabis Party policy.
