Illegal tobacco is harming our health and our retail capability

Caleb Cluff
MARCH 6 2018
Ballarat Courier

CEO of the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores Jeff Rogut says under-the-counter sales of illegal tobacco and cigarettes are robbing Ballarat shop owners of up to $5000 a month.

Mr Rogut spoke to The Courier after a combined Victoria Police and Australian Tax Office raid in Dunnstown yesterday saw two men arrested following the discovery of a 4.85 hectare tobacco crop growing on Ti Tree Road and Navigator-Dunnstown Road. 

“Some of the convenience stores there are losing up to $1000 a week, about $5000 a month, which for a small store is quite an amount of money.”

Jeff Rogut, CEO of the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores

He says illicit tobacco is a major issue across Victoria, but Ballarat is recognised as one of the hubs of activity in the state.

“It is rife in the regional centres, and Ballarat happens to be one of those centres where our members report knowing of huge sales of illicit tobacco going on,” says Mr Rogut.

“Some of the convenience stores there are losing up to $1000 a week, about $5000 a month, which for a small store is quite an amount of money.”

Ballarat councillor Des Hudson is another person concerned at the rise in black market tobacco availability. He’s requested a council officer report into the sale of ‘chop chop’ and illegal cigarettes by retailers in the city.

He says while it appears the policing of the trade is a joint federal-state jurisdiction, he believes there is provision under the Victorian Tobacco Act 1987 for council to appoint an inspector with powers of entry, search and seizure.

There are definitely outfits in Ballarat selling improperly marked packets of cigarettes, and individual cigarettes to children, that he is aware of, Mr Hudson told The Courier.

Mr Hudson has asked council to look into the feasibility of appointing such an inspector, and expects a response in near forthcoming council meetings.