Part 8/10:
Despite recognizing the problem, Australian authorities have often been slow to implement effective measures to tackle the epidemic. Taxation policies that were meant to deter tobacco use have inadvertently given rise to the black market, which offers cheaper alternatives. With current strategies maintaining a focus predominantly on preventing sales, there’s a push for more robust enforcement strategies that encompass the crippling of the logistical networks behind this illicit trade.
In light of the severe violence and financial implications associated with the black market, law enforcement is wrestling with how to shift gears effectively, with some policemen even suggesting that the government consider adjusting taxes on legal cigarettes—an idea that sparks significant debate.