Aussie

E.g. Government taxed the shit out of cigarettes, driving the price up to the point of unaffordability and, surprise surprise, organised criminals have stepped in and created a thriving black market that now exceeds the legal market. 

So, not only has the government lost the tax revenue, but they've incentivised organised crime to extort small business owners via classic stand-over mafia tactics. Those that refuse face reprisal with 4am car/fire bombings, which not only ruins people's livelihoods but causes huge costs to taxpayers who have to foot the bill for the emergency/police responses.

And you know the kicker, the proposed solution is to introduce a license and increase red tape for cigarette sellers, as if that'll help! In their mind the solution to too much intervention is more intervention 🤦‍♀️

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E.g. Government taxed the shit out of cigarettes, driving the price up to the point of unaffordability and, surprise surprise, organised criminals have stepped in and created a thriving black market that now exceeds the legal market. 

So, not only has the government lost the tax revenue, but they've incentivised organised crime to extort small business owners via classic stand-over mafia tactics. Those that refuse face reprisal with 4am car/fire bombings, which not only ruins people's livelihoods but causes huge costs to taxpayers who have to foot the bill for the emergency/police responses.

And you know the kicker, the proposed solution is to introduce a license and increase red tape for cigarette sellers, as if that'll help! In their mind the solution to too much intervention is more intervention 🤦‍♀️ 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-21/cigarette-taxes-fueling-black-market-tobacco-wars/104115126

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfast/tobacco-wars-victoria/104415990