How $40-a-Pack Cigarettes Pushed Australians to the Black Market

[MrBirdman]

Excellent article. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/15/world/asia/how-40-a-pack-cigarettes-pushed-australians-to-the-black-market.html?unlocked_article_code=1.MlA.RzYj.142YyDuDLlER&smid=url-share

[yossie]

I have no idea on cigar pricing in Aussie though. That sounds to me that a pack of cigarettes is more expensive than a cigar. 

[El Presidente]

5 hours ago, MrBirdman said:

Excellent article. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/15/world/asia/how-40-a-pack-cigarettes-pushed-australians-to-the-black-market.html?unlocked_article_code=1.MlA.RzYj.142YyDuDLlER&smid=url-share

Some of my deck lads enjoy a dart/durrie. They all buy black market. Price ranges from $6.60 USD to 9 USD for a pack of 25. 

[JohnS]

Thank you @MrBirdman for this article. We have on occasion brought this sort of news (unique to Australia) to our members' attention, of recent times. When it's reported in the New York Times; however, it does start to suggest that the Australian Government will need to address this problem of their own making.

[westg]

Buying a packet of illegal cigarettes in Perth Western Australia is not difficult. A pack of 20 goes for around 15 notes. The mango flavoured cigarettes with tropical packaging are the go to at the moment. Rolling tobacco and vapes are readily available . It has blowen out of control and largly run by Blue Oyster Bar bikie outlaws.Hardly a week seems to go by without a tobacconist being burnt to the ground.  If you own or rent a property that is situated above a tobacconist in Perth.  No one will insure you. 

[westg]

3 hours ago, JohnS said:

Thank you @MrBirdman for this article. We have on occasion brought this sort of news (unique to Australia) to our members' attention, of recent times. When it's reported in the New York Times; however, it does start to suggest that the Australian Government will need to address this problem of their own making.

Exactly John . A problem of their own making. 

[Fuzz AI]

Manchester Cigarettes, ostensibly a UK brand, but in reality a company based in Jebel Ali Free Zone Dubai. This is the brand that you will find in most black market shops in Aus. Interestingly, the crime boss Australia deported back to Iran now owns a majority share in Manchester. Vertical integration at its best.