Tobacco has never been more expensive mostly due to increased excise taxes.
Yet it seems easier than ever to buy on the black market.
Just last week, raids across Auckland led to the seizure of 1.5 million illicit cigarettes, which Customs estimates represent $2.2 million in evaded taxes.
Across the Tasman, estimates suggest around half of all cigarettes are now sourced from the black market.
So what did Australia do wrong and what New Zealand can do to avoid the same fate?
International consultant Rohan Pike is a former Australian Federal Police officer and Customs and Border Force expert. He joins Emile Donovan.
Photo: Supplied / Customs
