AACS REINFORCES IMPACTS OF BLACK MARKET TOBACCO AHEAD OF WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY

MEDIA RELEASE
May 29 2015
With May 31 recognised as World No Tobacco Day, the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has reinforced the negative impacts of the illicit tobacco market, not only on retailers but also on adults who choose to smoke and minors who legally aren’t permitted to.
AACS CEO Jeff Rogut said the flourishing illegal tobacco market is robbing honest retailers of legal tobacco sales, having grown almost 30% in two years and costing the Government an estimated $1.35 billion in lost tax revenue last year alone.
“Endless excise increases on legal tobacco and ill-advised policies like plain packaging have laid the platform for the massive growth of the illegal market, robbing honest retailers of legitimate sales,” Mr Rogut said.
“It’s a disturbing figure that demonstrates the unintended consequences of poorly planned Government policy, as the criminals who supply these illegal tobacco products don’t care if it ends up in the hands of minors. There are also no quality checks on what is actually in the products.
“The Australian regulatory environment continues to contribute to our growing reputation as one of the world’s most lucrative markets for illegal tobacco.”
The latest independent research from KPMG into black market tobacco consumption in Australia shows that illegal tobacco represented 14.5% of total consumption last year, with nearly 2.6 million kilograms consumed.
“With World No Tobacco Day sure to shine the spotlight on the ill effects of smoking, the AACS is urging the public, police and the Government to recognise the disastrous impact of illegal tobacco at the same time,” Mr Rogut said.
“Australia needs a smarter approach to the responsible consumption of legal, or else the black market will continue to flourish and criminals will profit,” Mr Rogut said.
The awareness of illicit tobacco products is very high among small retailers, and both the perceived impact on business and the actual incidence of customers enquiring about purchasing illicit tobacco are cause for concern.
Research from leading international research company Roy Morgan released shows that 33% of small retailers have reported customers enquiring about purchasing illicit tobacco since the introduction of plain packaging and 43% believe that the illicit trade of tobacco has negatively impacted their business.
The AACS is not an arm of, nor does it lobby on behalf of, the tobacco industry. It is the peak body for the convenience industry in Australia, representing the interests of over 6,000 stores.
Further information:
Jeff Rogut
Chief Executive Officer
Australasian Association of Convenience Stores
Ph: +61 467 873 789

Media enquiries:
Stephen Naylor
Wise McBaron Communication
Ph: +61 (2) 9279 4770