# Australia's illegal tobacco boom

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-daily-aus-2137001/australia-s-illegal-tobacco-boom
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-daily-aus-2137001/australia-s-illegal-tobacco-boom.md
Podcast: [The Daily Aus](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-daily-aus-2137001)
Published: 2026-06-09T19:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://omny.fm/shows/the-daily-aus-1/australias-illegal-tobacco-boom
Audio file: https://traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/3beb6a7f-7830-4fcc-9c67-b3fa00934bca/1511e96c-a349-4f26-8c74-b40801842a46/ff8633e3-cf5b-41fa-8723-b464007c2544/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=4e2f91e5-8b34-49d6-98c3-b40801842a5b
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-daily-aus-2137001/episodes/australia-s-illegal-tobacco-boom
Duration seconds: 1438

## Resource

Australia is one of the most expensive countries in the world to buy cigarettes. A standard pack now costs around $60, and it's a price most smokers aren’t willing to pay. But that doesn’t mean they’ve stopped buying them altogether. New data estimates around 80% of cigarettes and nicotine products consumed last year were purchased on the black market, with organised crime undercutting the government by $30 a pack. And despite decades of taxes and education campaigns, overall nicotine consumption has surged. So what's actually going on? Today we unpack Australia's rapidly growing illegal tobacco industry. Hosts: Billi FitzSimons and Emma Gillespie Producer: Rosa Bowden Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful. The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent. Want more from TDA? Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletter Subscribe to The Daily Aus’ YouTube Channel Have feedback for us? We’re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you’ve got feedback, we’re all ears.  Tell us here . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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## Transcript

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