AUSTRALIA
The Australian Government has appointed an Illicit Tobacco and E‑cigarette Commissioner to ramp up its fight against black market nicotine products.
From today, Australian Border Force (ABF) Assistant Commissioner Erin Dale (pictured) will act in the role on an interim basis until a formal appointment is made.
Assistant Commissioner Dale currently leads the ABF Tobacco and E-Cigarette Taskforce. She has previously held various senior executive positions across ABF, including leading all national and regional border operations at Australian ports, overseeing travel, trade facilitation, and enforcement functions.
The Government says the Illicit Tobacco and E‑cigarette Commissioner will be an essential role in coordinating efforts to combat the threat of illicit tobacco and e-cigarettes.
“Illicit tobacco and vaping products pose serious concerns to Australia’s success in tobacco control in our community, and I’m pleased to have Erin Dale to take on this role to ramp-up our fight in this Australian-first role,” said Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler.
“We are tackling illicit products on multiple fronts and our coordinated efforts are working to control these products which are hooking Australians on nicotine, with dire health consequences.
Since new regulations banning the import of disposable vapes began on 1 January, the ABF and Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have jointly seized close to 1.9 million illicit vapes, keeping products off the street and out of the hands of young Australians, while putting a dent in the black-market supply chain.
Additionally, from 1 January to 30 April, the ABF have seized more than 112 tonnes of tobacco and 608 million cigarettes.
The establishment of the Commissioner role follows the recent launch of the Government’s $63.4 million ‘Give Up For Good’ campaign, which is raising awareness of the health harms of smoking and vaping and encouraging Australians to take advantage of expanded quit support services.
