Episode Details

Australia’s smoking rates have plummeted, with daily smokers dropping more than half since 2001 and a record 68.7% of adults never having smoked — putting the nation on track to hit its 2030 goal of 5% or fewer daily smokers. But a shadow crisis is emerging: the black market for tobacco is surging, with over a third of current smokers now buying illicit products — a number that’s doubled in just three years. This cheap, unregulated supply is making quitting harder, especially since price is a key motivator, and nicotine consumption nationwide has jumped 40% since 2017, suggesting heavier use among black market buyers. Meanwhile, e-cigarette use is not exploding — daily vaping has barely increased, and frequent vaping among young adults is falling, with many quitting altogether. Still, authorities must urgently crack down on illegal tobacco sales, as uneven enforcement across states is allowing the black market to thrive and risk undoing years of public health progress.

Listen in comfort:
Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn.

Advertise on DNN:
advertise@thednn.ai

This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.
Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai.

View sources & latest updates:
https://sources.thednn.ai/349c27726e45f73e