General News
29 August, 2025
Illegal sales hurting businesses
Despite smoking’s prevalence in the Central Goldfields Shire, the second highest across the state, sales are plummeting at local retailers for one main reason — the illegal market.
Australia is facing an illegal tobacco problem and legitimate retailers are feeling the pinch.
According to a study published by FTI Consulting, illicit tobacco consumption increased to nearly 40 percent of total consumption in 2024.
They found illicit tobacco has been growing since 2019 but the rate of growth in 2024 was almost double that of previous years.
It’s a trend Maryborough IGA manager Jefferson Hoober is feeling in a “massive cut” to his margins.
“It’s frustrating. I’ve had to sit down and cut hours,” he said.
Mr Hoober explained that cigarette sales made up 20 percent of his business a decade ago, declining to 8 percent, and halved again following new legislation last month.
“It’s just drifting, drifting away,” he said.
Among the new tobacco laws are restrictions on pack size, tobacco quantity, and removal of ingredients that make it easier to smoke and harder to quit.
However, Australians are still smoking and vaping, with the ABC reporting wastewater studies show nicotine consumption is at an all-time high in Australia.
Mr Hoober believes his customers aren’t being motivated to quit but instead searching for cheaper options “so they can get bread and milk on the table”.
“You see them walk through the street with black plastic bags in their hands,” he said.
It’s meant he’s had to cut 70 hours, the equivalent of two full-time staff, which hurts him the most.
“You’ve got to try and make it so you’re not hurting someone’s livelihood,” he said.
“You don’t want to just get rid of someone full-time so you trim their hours back and hopefully things pick back up when ... things improve.”
While Mr Hoober understands why locals are turning to cheaper options, he asks the community to support legitimate local businesses.
“If you’re going to buy them buy the right products. Support your local community. Support your local jobs,” he said.
Likewise, MDHS’ community health quit support nurse Kate Deumer encourages the community to take steps to quit smoking or vaping.
“You’re not stuck with smoking,” she said.
Locals who are looking to quit can self-refer on MDHS’ website or by calling reception.
“Ideally we’d be a community where nobody was smoking but I don’t think that’s realistic … but we can provide education and a means for quitting that’s achievable for people,” she said.
Ms Deumer explained the process is personalised through an assessment of a person’s habits, triggers, and reasons for smoking.
“Everyone has got their own story,” she said.
Regardless of where someone is on their quitting journey, Ms Deumer said the process is free of judgement.
“People have a sense of achievement which is really wonderful for your mental health. It’s not just your physical health.”