AACS WELCOMES ILLICIT COMMISSIONER IN ALBANESE GOVERNMENT’S TOBACCO BILL BUT LAMENTS MISSED OPPORTUNITY TO TACKLE AUSTRALIA’S VAPING CRISIS

The Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has welcomed the passage
of the Albanese Government’s Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Bill 2023,
but said it was a wasted opportunity to deliver a practical solution to the vaping crisis
in Australian schools.

AACS chief executive Theo Foukkare said the creation of an Illicit Tobacco
Commissioner was a major step forward and would support the thousands of
responsible retailers that had been unfairly losing out to black market operators that
had muscled in on the legal tobacco market after the government priced consumers
out of the legal market.

“The late amendments to this Bill proposed by the Coalition are most welcome,” Mr Foukkare said.

“We look forward to the establishment of the Commissioner’s office and supporting this new resource to ensure it maximises its chance of success.

“While it is extremely positive that there will be more enforcement of the current rules, our law abiding retailers have seen the cost of living crisis impact as people turning to the illicit tobacco and black market vaping suppliers, who are ever ready to supply people, children included, with illegal products.

“An almost four per cent drop in tobacco spending was noted in the national accounts
for the September quarter.”

“The package of legislation does not include anything that will alleviate the concerns
of parents.

While we are supportive of much of the legislation, it does not include a model for responsible 18+ sales of products for the 1.6 million adults in Australia who use vapour products and protects the status quo of unscrupulous non AACS member stores selling black market products to kids.

“We would welcome the Government implementing tough regulations on the sales of vapour products to place Australia among having some of the world’s toughest standards for sale.

We also look forward to continuing to protect retailers against threats to their responsible business practices and working with authorities on enforcement solutions.

Theo Foukkare is available for interviews: 0423 003 133