Victorian crackdown on illicit tobacco

AAP
January 15, 2014
VICTORIAN retailers who sell illicit tobacco products are set to face a four-fold hike in penalties.
The state government announced the tough measures on Wednesday to try to clamp down on the illegal tobacco trade.
Under the changes, retailers caught with illicit tobacco face $34,600 in fines for individuals and $173,200 for businesses.
The quadrupling in penalties is expected to apply later this year.
Health Minister David Davis says the risks of illicit tobacco are even higher than regulated tobacco because the illegal products can contain toxic chemicals or mould.
They also do not comply with plain packaging laws, meaning people are not warned about the smoking dangers.
“Illicit tobacco undermines the efforts of everyone working towards tobacco control and trying to help Victorians quit smoking,” Mr Davis told reporters.
Twelve people have been charged over an illegal importation of 71 tonnes of illicit tobacco and 80 million cigarette sticks into Victoria.
The seizure last year resulted in $67 million worth of defrauded revenue.