Australia Tried To Tax Smoking Out of Existence. Now 80% of Tobacco Aussies Consume Is From the Black Market.

Australia has the most expensive cigarettes in the world due to steep tax hikes over the past decade. As a result, an estimated 80 percent of tobacco consumed in the country is now from the black market. This has led to a significant rise in nicotine consumption, a decrease in tobacco duty revenue, and a downgrade of tobacco excise revenue. The high prices have also driven a severe wave of gang violence, including firebombings and shootings.