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AAP
AAP
Will Nicholas

War on illegal tobacco needs more 'boots on the ground'

Tobacco Laura Hunter NT
Illicit tobacco now comprises an estimated 50 to 60 per cent of Australia's total tobacco trade. (Tony Phillips/AAP PHOTOS)

Too many illicit cigarettes are still ending up between Aussie fingers as lawmakers oscillate between cracking down on shady vendors and squeezing them out financially.

Illicit tobacco now comprises 50 to 60 per cent of Australia's total tobacco trade, the Illicit Tobacco and E-cigarette Commissioner estimates, steering up to $11.8 billion in excise away from federal coffers.

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