Federal government backs Queensland blueprint to hit illicit cigarette gangs

AI Summary

Australia’s federal government is backing Queensland’s plan to combat illicit cigarette gangs, pointing to a 55% increase in legal cigarette sales as evidence that enforcement can curb the black market. The illicit cigarette trade is estimated at $8.5 billion.

Federal cabinet holds up Queensland’s 55 per cent surge in legal cigarette sales as proof that street-level enforcement can break the $8.5 billion black market.