The leaders of three major national retail representative groups representing thousands of businesses across the country have today welcomed reports that the Victorian Government will review its tobacco regulation framework with a view to cracking down on the burgeoning black market, which is now worth billions of dollars and costs an estimated $800 million 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 Lottery and Newsagents Association (ALNA) said any review must balance the urgent need for a crackdown on illegal tobacco sales through mechanisms such as a licencing scheme without creating unnecessary red tape for legitimate and law-abiding retailers.

Reports today say Victoria’s Commissioner for Better Regulation will carry out an independent review of the state’s tobacco laws, and provide recommendations on licensing, compliance and regulatory powers.

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