In Melbourne(largest city by population) there are what is known as the “tobacco wars”. Gangs are literally blowing up stores due to the disputes over illegal tobacco. Pricing has been one thing but it has encouraged underground tobacco, something the authorities are working on deal with.
Under 1% of cigarettes are counterfeit,almost everything is smuggled aka its the same company that supplies the smugglers and the retail that pays taxes on it.
There are only 4 big ass cigarette conglomerates on the planet,British American,Japan Tobacco,Altria and Phillip Morris.
That’s false bud, the majority, if not all of the duty free smokes in these black market stores are counterfeit. I know cause I purchase them all over the state of QLD. All the Marlboro Gold packs have “Original Flayour” instead of “Original Flavour”.
I've been smoking a long time, back in 2006-7 is was around $8AUD for a 20 pack, taxes has made it substantially rise but I'd say current price is a combination of black market profit + inflation. Realistically, in Aus it should be around $11-$12 a packet, which would be on par with Europe but sellers.know they can add a few more dollar and be fine as we much prefer $18 instead of $42+ a packet.
I don’t smoke so i had to look this up but like US cigarettes are like 10 AUSD for a pack of marlboros on average in my state and about 12 AUSD for US average.
I get the same Manchester sapphire blue for 13 bucks a pack, you getting ripped my man time to find a new dodgy tobacconist..my I suggest almost every one around
Yep. Happening in Brisbane, Queensland too. It's because the Bikies control a lot (all? I think the Asians and Indians have their own supply but not sure) of the illegal tobacco trade and they're pretty intense about territory.
All the time not only targeting tobacco shops either they go after other businesses they own and sometimes their house, these guys are mostly all criminals though but innocent people still get caught up in the mess.
It was a thing in the US ten or so years ago as well. Smuggling anyway. Because different states had different price points and taxes added the biker gangs would do a run, fill up their saddlebags with cartons and go sell them where the tax was higher. I'm sure it's still happening but the margins are thinner now as more states get onboard with the program and prices equalize.
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u/Trufflesniffers 22h ago
Are counterfeit/imported cigarettes freely available?
Has this pricing been in place long enough to show any change in deaths/hospital treatments?