WA independent Senator, Fatima Payman, is calling on the Federal Government to urgently confront the failure of its current tobacco excise and compliance strategy, as revenue collapses and smoking rates rise.
"The Government has poured hundreds of millions into compliance, including an additional $188 million last financial year, but in places like Fremantle, WA, the number of convenience stores selling illicit tobacco and vapes has boomed in the same period," Senator Payman said.
"And on top of the increased compliance measures, the ongoing decline in tobacco excise revenue means Aussie taxpayers are ultimately bearing the cost."
Senator Payman has already pressed Treasury officials and will do the same with Health officials in Senate Estimates later today to explain what real-world impact, if any, this spending has had on revenue, and why smoking rates in WA increased from 10 to 12 percent last financial year. The first rise in 30 years.
Premier Roger Cook was recently quoted in The West Australian newspaper as saying the uptick in smoking was to do with increase in migrants entering the State.
"But there is no evidence linking migration with smoking and is a bizarre thing to say from the Labor left faction Premier," she said.
"If the data doesn't support this claim, then the Commonwealth must be honest about what is driving this deeply concerning trend.
"After 30 years of progress, Australia cannot allow smoking rates to go backwards," Senator Payman said.
"It's time for the Government to level with the public, reassess its strategy, and act before the health consequences grow even more severe."
