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TOBACCO to be addressed. Since the illicit trade was first measured in Australia in 2012, evaded duty has cost the government more than $12 billion. “As recently as mid-April, police charged a man with terror links who had also been involved in the illicit tobacco trade, further proof of these syndicates operating in Australia. “We know many small businesses are suffering severe losses and facing closure as criminal elements continue to flush the market with illicit products. Organised crime continues to strengthen its foothold, actively operating via the dark web and offering refund guarantees for seized orders. “Federal government agencies including the Australian Border Force, Australian Tax Office and the Illicit Tobacco Taskforce have had encouraging success dismantling larger operations, but increased funding and resources must be directed to state- based investigations. “In addition to more resources directed at a federal level, we need targeted, state-based taskforces to focus on retail enforcement in suburban areas.” Imperial asks government to embrace e-cigarettes It’s difficult to understand why the Australian government refuses to offer smokers access to e-cigarettes given its aim to reduce the smoking rate to 10 per cent, says Kirsten Daggar-Nickson, Head of Corporate Affairs at Imperial Brands Australia. “These products have been proven to be effective harm reduction tools across the world,” she said. “There are three million smokers in Australia and around 300,000 people who vape, albeit largely illegally, because the government is stumbling behind the rest of the world when it comes to introducing fair and reasonable regulation, forcing consumers to order vaping products from overseas.” Ms Daggar-Nickson says many people may not even be aware of what e-cigarettes are, given the lack of traditional media coverage. However, she believes it’s important for adult consumers to know these products have been legal for a decade in countries including the UK, the US and many parts of Europe. “Closed e-cigarette systems, such as our product, contain nicotine liquid, flavour and two alcohol based mixing agents,” she said. “The liquid is heated in a small device and produces a vapour, hence the term vaping. “We understand nicotine is addictive, just as caffeine is. Nicotine is not a carcinogen, and its safety profile, used under normal conditions, has been well established through years of pharmaceutical trials for traditional nicotine replacement therapies like gums and patches. “Research from Public Health England has shown e-cigarettes are 95 per cent safer than cigarettes, without the smell, taste or health impacts of combustible cigarettes. “To provide some perspective on how behind Australia is, hospitals in the UK have started opening vape shops in a bid to help smokers switch, while in New Zealand, the government launched its own ‘Vaping Facts’ website to educate consumers on the benefits of vaping. “It’s time we looked at vaping the same way most other countries in the world do, and help save lives.” RETAIL WORLD JUN, 2020