Chris O’Keefe is wondering if the government could try any harder to send smokers to the black market as tax on a single carton costs the customer $32.50.

His comments come after it was revealed the Albanese government wants to place health warnings on individual cigarettes, criticising subsequent governments’ position on the tobacco tax as Victoria and other states see black market turf wars.

“The crooks fight over the tobacco because there’s big money in it, and the government continues on the puritanical path … while burying their head in the sand,” he said.

Hear more highlights from Drive with Chris O’Keefe below: