Australian Health Groups Oppose Tobacco Industry Calls for Excise Cuts

A coalition of 15 Australian health organizations said tobacco companies are using concerns about illegal cigarettes to push for cuts to government excise taxes. The groups, including the Cancer Council and the Heart Foundation, issued the statement ahead of a second hearing of a parliamentary inquiry into illicit tobacco sales.

They said the industry is attempting to reshape public debate and regain influence over health policy. The inquiry held a closed hearing with Philip Morris executives earlier this month. Company representatives told the committee that illegal cigarettes would eliminate legal products in Australia by 2030 and called for lower excise rates.

The closed session ended more than 15 years of precedent under Australia's participation in a World Health Organization tobacco control agreement. The coalition described the decision to allow secret testimony as deeply concerning. The groups said the WHO agreement requires public officials to protect health policy from tobacco industry interference.

Australia's health department guidance states that officials should interact with tobacco executives only when strictly necessary.

Smoking kills 24,000 Australians each year and is the leading cause of preventable death. One in five cancer deaths is attributed to tobacco use. 3 billion to tobacco companies. The surge in illegal trade has already caused a $6 billion hit to the federal budget in less than six months. 5 billion for 2025-26 in the December mid-year update. 1 billion by mid-2030.