‘Poison in every puff’ and ‘toxic addiction’ are just two of the messages manufacturers must print on every cigarette by April under new government regulations. Other messages include ‘damages your lungs’, ’causes 16 cancers’ and ‘shortens your life’.

The regulations were issued in October 2024, giving manufacturers five months to meet the deadline. Retailers will have a three-month transition period from1 April the end of June to gradually phase out their old stock.
Health Minister Mark Butler said Australia was “one of the first countries in the world to include this new public health measure”. He said the aim was to “educate but also dissuade smokers from using this deadly product”. Other changes include a ban on cigarette enhancements such as menthol.

In Addition, graphic warnings on packs will be updated and enhanced, product sizes will be standardised, and new health promotion inserts will be added to packs and pouches to support and encourage people to quit smoking.

Cigarette prices in Australia are among the highest in the world, mainly due to high taxation. A standard 20-pack costs more than AUD 50 (USD 39.5), depending on the brand, with 70 per cent of the retail price (AUD 35) going to the government as excise tax.

Cigarette excise taxes in Australia increase biannually alongside wage growth, leading to a considerable rise in black-market activities as Australians seek cheaper, illegal cigarettes. Despite regular tax increases, government revenue from tobacco has drastically declined by 39 per cent over four years from a peak of AUD 16 billion in 2019/20 to AUD 9.8 billion in 2023/24.