The Albanese government’s laudable attempt to use a tax as a public health measure to break the lethal grip of tobacco has blown up in the faces of state governments.

Canberra’s well-intentioned but ill-thought-through excise duty increase has not only forced the cost of cigarettes purchased legally to soar – from $20 in 2019 to $57.99 for one popular brand – but driven consumers to cheaper illegal tobacco products. As an unintended consequence, not only is the federal tax take shrinking, but the burden of controlling the newly burgeoning illegal trade has fallen to beleaguered state health departments or police forces.

Australian Border Force officers check illegal cigarette imports found in shipping containers.Credit: Enrique Ascui

Premier Chris Minns has

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