Michael McLaren says he was shocked to see that over 100 service stations were raided by the Australian Border Force as part of an investigation into the alleged sale of illegal tobacco. 

He says while it’s good work by the police, he has questioned if they’re playing a game of whack-a-mole.

“Whilst the economic fundamentals remain in place, so too will the illegal trade. As the ABS themselves have estimated, close to 80 per cent of all tobacco products now sold in Australia are black market,” he said.

“Political greed has got us to where we are. For decades, Australians who chose to smoke did so legally and paid their fair share. But like anyone, it seems they reached a collective tipping point and were tired of being exploited as an easy cash cow,” he added.

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