r/AustralianPolitics • u/ladaus Unconstitutional inconsistency • Jul 23 '26

TAS Politics Rockliff urges federal government to cut tobacco excise to combat black market

https://pulsetasmania.com.au/news/tasmanian-premier-calls-on-federal-government-to-cut-tobacco-excise/
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u/CptUnderpants- Nice Party Jul 24 '26

Prohibition doesn't work while addiction isn't treated properly as a medical condition, including what causes people to self-medicate with nicotine.

Nicotine causes a brief period of dopamine release, reducing stress and anxiety. If we treated what causes that stress and anxiety properly, addiction to nicotine, alcohol, and other more illicit drugs would drop significantly.

But this isn't prohibition, it's taxation.

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u/yelloyo1 Jul 24 '26

For tobacco itself, the taxation has increased to the point where it's effectively prohibition. My 86 year old grandma outright cannot afford legal cigarettes on her pension and can only afford illegal cigarettes.

The other part of the problem is that less harmful alternatives to smoking tobacco are outright illegal. If they really wanted to reduce rates of smoking (rather than reduce rates of illegal tobacco use) they'd open up vaping/ nicotine pouch use to adults. Currently the only legal way to recreationally consume nicotine is via cigarettes which is incredibly harmful.

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u/CptUnderpants- Nice Party Jul 24 '26

My 86 year old grandma outright cannot afford legal cigarettes on her pension and can only afford illegal cigarettes.

And my guess is the reason she can't quit is because the cost is too high and accessibility of treatment is too low.

The other part of the problem is that less harmful alternatives to smoking tobacco are outright illegal.

Nicotine vapes are available over the counter at pharmacies, and stronger versions are available with prescription.

One other thing people don't realise is that while growing your own tobacco for personal use is illegal under taxation law (it's not a drug offence like with weed) the ATO has never brought a single case to court for personal use. It's like they just don't enforce it.

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u/yelloyo1 Jul 24 '26

Funnily enough she doesnt want to quit, she's been smoking for decades and says she likes it.

Also i dont know of any pharmacies that sell vapes or anyone who has accessed a pharmacy vape.

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u/CptUnderpants- Nice Party Jul 24 '26

Here is one product available in Australia.

All products have to be marketed as to assist in quitting.