The Office of the ITEC Commissioner welcomes the additional funding to combat the issue of illicit tobacco.
Today, the Federal Government announced it would allocate a further $156.7 million over two years from 2025-26 to expand programs to tackle the illicit tobacco trade.
The figure includes $19.9 million which has been allocated to the Department of Home Affairs for the Office of the Illicit Tobacco and E‑Cigarette Commissioner (ITEC) to enhance coordination efforts across all levels of government to combat illicit tobacco.
Interim ITEC Commissioner Erin Dale welcomed the announcement by highlighting that a robust and unified approach is essential to combatting the issue of illicit tobacco in Australia.
“Addressing the challenges of illicit tobacco and e-cigarettes in the Australian community is a shared responsibility, and the additional funding committed today will support the dismantling of this illicit trade,” said Commissioner Dale.
The Office of the ITEC Commissioner also welcomes the announcement of $1.4 million to establish a new collaboration for a regional assessment of illicit tobacco markets, in partnership with international experts.
“International partnerships are vital in this process, ensuring the threat is suppressed before it reaches our borders,” said Commissioner Dale.
“It will allow a stronger understanding of criminal network behaviours at the production level and overseas distribution stages of the supply chain, and will unlock opportunities to further disrupt criminal entities offshore,” Commissioner Dale said.
“Along with strong partnerships between federal, state and territory governments, law enforcement and health agencies, the commitment today will further enhance the joint capability to disrupt the organised crime groups driving this trade, protect legitimate businesses, and ensure the health and safety of our communities” Commissioner Dale added.
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