Big tobacco is exploiting fears of the illicit market to unwind health gains, Australian experts warn
Summary
Health groups in Australia accuse big tobacco companies of trying to use fears about illegal cigarette sales to reduce tobacco taxes. They warn that cutting taxes would make legal cigarettes cheaper, increase smoking rates, and hurt public health efforts.Key Facts
- A parliamentary inquiry in Australia included secret evidence from Philip Morris, a large cigarette maker.
- Tobacco companies say illegal cigarette sales could eliminate legal products by 2030 and want lower tobacco taxes.
- Fifteen health organizations, including the Cancer Council and Heart Foundation, disagree and call this a tactic to push for tax cuts.
- The World Health Organization has rules to keep tobacco companies from interfering with public health policies.
- Australia’s health guidelines say officials should limit contact with tobacco industry representatives.
- Smoking causes 24,000 deaths per year in Australia and is the leading preventable cause of death.
- Cutting tobacco taxes could give the industry an estimated $2.3 billion gain and increase smoking rates.
- Illegal tobacco sales have already cost the Australian government $6 billion in less than six months.
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