Australia's illicit tobacco market: Drivers and deterrents: NDARC Webinar
The UNSW National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) webinar explores the factors contributing to the growth of illicit tobacco use in Australia and investigates approaches that may discourage consumers from purchasing these products. It addresses a significant evidence gap by examining who uses illicit tobacco, why they choose it, and what interventions may effectively reduce demand.
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Australia’s illicit tobacco market has expanded rapidly in recent years, yet there remains limited evidence on who uses illicitly traded tobacco, why consumers choose these products, or what might discourage future purchases. Dr Cheneal Puljevic's ARC DECRA Fellowship, which concluded in January 2026, was designed to address these evidence gaps. The project, led by Dr Cheneal Puljevic, draws on five complementary studies using quantitative and qualitative research methods. These studies explore consumer behaviours, motivations, attitudes, and experiences associated with illicitly traded tobacco.
The webinar concludes by discussing policy responses that are most likely to be effective in reducing demand for illicitly traded tobacco in Australia. Overall, it provides important insights into Australia’s changing tobacco landscape and supports the development of targeted policies designed to reduce illicit tobacco use while continuing to protect public health outcomes.
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