Pauline Hanson vows to slash cigarette prices in half

According to reporting by wire services, the One Nation leader argues that high government taxes on tobacco products have inadvertently driven Australian smokers toward illicit alternatives. The party proposes cutting the retail price of cigarettes in half as the primary mechanism to combat organised crime syndicates operating in the black market. One Nation claims that the current tax regime has created a thriving underground economy that bypasses government regulation and health standards.

Under successive federal governments, tobacco excise has risen steadily, making Australian cigarette prices some of the highest in the world. One Nation contends that these tax increases have failed to curb smoking rates effectively, and have instead created a highly lucrative illicit trade. By significantly lowering the legal cost of cigarettes, the party believes it can price illegal syndicates out of the market, thereby reducing the influence of organised crime.

Specific details regarding how the policy would be legislatively implemented, or how the resulting multi-billion-dollar shortfall in federal tax revenue would be offset, remain unconfirmed. Tobacco control advocates and public health experts have historically argued that high taxation is one of the most effective deterrents to smoking, meaning any proposal to slash prices is highly likely to face intense opposition from major political parties. It is not yet clear if any other crossbenchers or minor parties will support the policy.

Watch for whether One Nation can secure broader parliamentary support for its tobacco tax cuts during the next federal legislative session.