Representatives of thousands of small businesses say tougher penalties on illicit tobacco sales is needed to halt criminal tobacco trade.

The leaders of three major national retail groups representing thousands of businesses across the country have today welcomed a push from South Australia legislators that would see increased financial penalties inflicted on those who trade in illicit tobacco products, a market now worth billions of dollars in lost taxation revenue across Australia.

In a joint statement, the leaders of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), the Master Grocers Association (MGA) and the Australian Lotteries and Newsagents Association (ALNA), said tougher penalties were overdue as the tobacco black market had increased in activity during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a joint statement, the leaders of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), the Master Grocers Association (MGA) and the Australian Lotteries and Newsagents Association (ALNA), said tougher penalties were overdue as the tobacco black market had increased in activity during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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