Inquiry into illegal tobacco trade

Inquiry into illegal tobacco trade

The NSW Government has finally answered calls to launch a parliamentary inquiry into the fast-growing illegal tobacco trade. It is something I have been pushing the government for.  A parliamentary inquiry into illegal tobacco trade has been established and referred to the Legislative Council Committee on Justice and Communities.

Data from NSW Health shows a huge rise in the number of tobacconists across NSW; from 14,500 four years ago to 19,500 today (nearly 35 per cent). These illegal operations particularly affect regional and rural areas, like the Northern Tablelands, where there are limited resources to conduct compliance checks and they are being sold to young people.  Illegal tobacco trade has also been linked with an increase in crime across NSW. The inquiry will force the government to look at the impact of the tobacco trade on small businesses and communities and the failures to address the sale of illegal and counterfeit cigarettes.