Public health experts warn against tobacco tax cuts

Public health experts are warning against calls to cut tobacco taxes, saying it would do little to tackle Australia’s illegal tobacco trade. 

The Public Health Association of Australia says a 50 percent cut to tobacco custom duties could hand major tobacco companies around 2.3 billion a year, while undermining efforts to reduce smoking harm. 

This comes after last week’s Senate Inquiry into illegal tobacco, where industry lobbying also raised concerns.

Image: Photo by Immo Wegmann on Unsplash

Produced By: Mayabi Aziz

Featured In Story: Associate Professor Raglan Maddox – Public Health Association of Australia

First aired on The Wire, Monday 11 May 2026