Duty Free Cigarettes - New limits from 1 July 2017

bobbified on 16/07/2017 - 22:38

For smokers like myself who don't already know, there's a new limit on the number of duty-free cigarettes allowed into Australia.

I really don't recall hearing any announcements about this change and only found out because my mate mentioned it on the weekend.

Previously, it was 50 cigarettes plus an open pack - although the allowance for that "open pack" was never really publicised well, nor was it on the Entry Card.

From the Border website:

Tobacco
From 1 July 2017, you can bring 25 grams of tobacco in any form (cigarette, loose leaf, etc.), equivalent to approximately 25 cigarettes, plus an open packet, for each traveller 18 years or older.
(https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Ente/Duty-Free-concessions)

Bloody money-grabbing government!

Travel

Comments

        • whooah1979 on 18/07/2017 - 15:07
          +1

          @bobbified:

          What incentives can they offer? Tobacco and alcohol are both addictive and harmful vices. The government spend millions of taxpayers money on advertising and programmes to help people stop. People are simply to stubborn to do what's best for them.

        • bobbified on 18/07/2017 - 15:12

          @whooah1979:

          Everything is harmful if consumed in large quantities.

          After cigarettes and alcohol, sugar will be next.
          Once that's done, it'll probably be the salt because it causes high blood pressure problems.
          Sport causes lots of injuries too - do we need a tax on that too for the additional health costs?

          At the end of the day, they're completely legal products - if they were that bad, they would already be banned - just like everything else that's already been banned.

        • [Deactivated] on 18/07/2017 - 16:01

          @bobbified:
          They are really that bad. Some substances do not get banned for reasons beyond "it is okay".

          Tabacco - does not get banned because tabacco groups are very significant political sponsors in the US, and their influence reaches beyond home soil. Example - they've pushed to ban E-cig juices with tabacco and won even though multiple reputable medical journals have shown feasible studies that they are less harmful than cigarettes and is a stepping stone to quitting. E-cigs were successfully banned only a few months ago.

          Alcohol - does not get banned because making moonshine is very easy. Enforcing alcohol bans have not been successful in the past. See Prohibition Era USA.

          Sugar - extremely difficult to legislate because it is a basic ingredient found in all foods.

          Sports - this is an activity, not a substance. I can understand the point you're trying to make but it is really irrelevant.

        • lookatthesizeofthat on 18/07/2017 - 17:03
          +1

          @bobbified: Exactly right. If a crack addict was broke would we give them more funds? NO!
          I think it's fair to say the majority are sick to back teeth of this incompetent government that has no clue whatsoever when it comes to economics.

        • whooah1979 on 18/07/2017 - 17:27

          @bobbified:

          At the end of the day, they're completely legal products - if they were that bad, they would already be banned - just like everything else that's already been banned.

          there is no need to ban any of these items. tax them.

        • bobbified on 19/07/2017 - 08:39

          @tshow:

          Sugar - extremely difficult to legislate because it is a basic ingredient found in all foods.

          They've started on sugar already. It won't be long before the additional taxes come in.

        • [Deactivated] on 19/07/2017 - 15:48
          +2

          @bobbified:

          Good.

          The thing that annoys me about your entire rant is that you seem to think you are some kind of free thinking revolutionary because your stance is anti-taxation and (presumably in your own opinion) libertarian. What you are completely failing to acknowledge is that it's not you making an individual and unbiased choice to be pro-smoking, it's you being influenced by popular culture, billions of dollars of market research and applied marketing to get you to be pro-smoking, and most likely a degree of physical and/or mental addiction.

          The same goes for sugar too. The sugars in confectionery are shit for you. They are damaging to you. You are fighting a tougher battle to go against these things than be for them. Every time you choose not to stuff that Snickers in your mouth, you are battling against billions of dollars worth of combined intelligence that have worked together over decades to get you to take that bite.

        • bobbified on 19/07/2017 - 16:06
          +2

          @Cubist:

          you are battling against billions of dollars worth of combined intelligence that have worked together over decades to get you to take that bite.

          Despite what you might think (if you actually do), we do have the ability to think freely.

          What I am against is the government taking the opportunity to tax anything and everything they can.

        • [Deactivated] on 19/07/2017 - 16:09
          +2

          @bobbified:

          My point is that you aren't thinking freely. You are thinking based off your biases which come as a result of outside influence, and in your case, prolonged chemical dependency.

          Taxation on an optional product which drive cost is logical.

        • lookatthesizeofthat on 19/07/2017 - 20:15

          @whooah1979: The answer isn't more tax it's reduce government spending as it has more leaks than a colander. They continue to blame the people for the mess they created. Most people have simply had enough of government interfering and taxing anything and everything.

      • Krizy on 20/07/2017 - 23:34

        You're right, intersectionality between alcoholics, smokers and gamblers is the only way forward./s

      • anzacpaul on 11/01/2018 - 13:11

        This is all well and good, except for the fact that the everyone foots the bill for smoking and drinking related illnesses.

        If you are happy to waive your right to free or subsidised healthcare as a smoker, then i'm more than happy for smokes to remain cheap.

  • lookatthesizeofthat on 18/07/2017 - 13:31
    +1

    The government is clearly broke and people are losing confidence.

    people will start pouring into tangible assets shortly.

  • Plug on 18/07/2017 - 16:11
    +1

    Perhaps the govt should spend more wisely onstead of throwing money at vanity schemes and expecting us to pay fir it all.

  • picklewizard on 18/07/2017 - 16:15
    +6

    Oh my word, even the non-smokers on the anti-gov bandwagon, this is surprising!

    Smoking costs the taxpayer hundreds of millions of dollars yearly; while it would appear that taxes more than offset this, it's ultimately a tax on the stupid and is completely voluntary.

  • Gershom on 18/07/2017 - 16:25

    A further boost to black market tobacco smugglers.

    • [Deactivated] on 18/07/2017 - 16:33

      How is this going to boost black market tobacco smugglers?

      • bobbified on 19/07/2017 - 09:14
        +1

        I don't know how big the black market in cigarettes really is, but it only takes me a few minutes to find someone that sells imported cigarettes for $150/carton. They're the cigarettes that I like smoking when I'm overseas and not available here.

        I may get a lot of negs for admitting it here, but it saves me $80 each carton compared to buying the equivalent here.

        As the prices/taxes go up here, there'll be more incentive for smokers to get their cigarettes from these guys.

        • [Deactivated] on 19/07/2017 - 12:00
          +1

          Reducing duty free imports for cigarettes will hardly effect market prices of cigarettes.

          The people who are buying black market cigarettes are not going to suddenly increase purchases because they can bring one less pack every time they fly overseas.

          The people smuggling in black market ciggs do not have a syndicate of travelers bringing in 2-3 packs per entry.

          This personal import restriction hardly affects anyone other than travelers who smoke too much.

          PS. No one with an above average intellect or integrity is going to neg an honest statement. We may not agree or like black market operations but this is hardly the place to make a difference regarding that issue. If someone is selling them cheaper, by all means buy them but we would appreciate if you also report these people as they are stealing from you indirectly. They are using your tax funded amenities, increasing crime in your neighborhood and they don't contribute. If your report can take down a syndicate, you'd save many of us $80.

        • Gershom on 19/07/2017 - 12:22

          @tshow: You're a funny guy.

        • bobbified on 19/07/2017 - 12:31

          @tshow:

          Reducing duty free imports for cigarettes will hardly effect market prices of cigarettes.

          That alone won't effect the market prices, but it adds to the contempt that's already in someone's mind about the government trying to raise more revenue (regardless of whether that's true or not).

          The people who are buying black market cigarettes are not going to suddenly increase purchases because they can bring one less pack every time they fly overseas.

          You're right about this - The people who are already buying from these guys won't suddenly increase their purchases. It'll impact the people who are currently buying legitimate cigarettes. Something's going to push them over the edge and eventually they'll go "screw that, I can get it much cheaper from this guy". Realistically, no-one likes paying more than they have to for the same thing.

          The people smuggling in black market ciggs do not have a syndicate of travelers bringing in 2-3 packs per entry.

          These guys bring in suitcases full of cigarettes and sometimes they get busted, sometimes they don't.

          I go overseas a few times a year and (here's another admission! haha) I always bring back a carton (I go through it in a week!). I've been checked a few times and the Customs agent literally pulls out the whole carton from my bag, is holding it up in his hand, uses his other hand to check the rest of my bag and then just puts it back in my bag and asks me to go out the door.
          I do realise that one day I might come across someone who's not so nice, but I think it must be a very common thing for travellers to bring in more than they're allowed. I can only assume that one carton must be very little compared to other travellers if they're not busting me for it.

          Also, if I dob someone in, where am I going to get my cheap cigarettes from after that? haha

        • [Deactivated] on 19/07/2017 - 16:40
          +1

          @bobbified:
          People who harbor contempt for issues like government imposing stricter restrictions on items of no value (in fact, incurs cost) are not going to change their mind one way or another. Those grapes be sour.

          If someone is going to be pushed over the edge, I sincerely hope it is over the edge to quit smoking. That would really make a lot more sense and result in a lot more good.

          The cheapest cigarettes are the ones you do not smoke.

          Have a safe flight and it's never too early to stop killing yourself.

  • Hardlyworkin on 18/07/2017 - 18:08
    +5

    After walking behind a stinky smoker puffing away on the way home I'm happy to see the costs go up! When I see teenagers smoking now I wonder how the hell they afford to pay for them…

    I feel very lucky to live in a country where smoking is so frowned upon, particularly by the government. It feels like stepping back in time in some countries where people are offended when you say no to a smoke and generally can't understand why you wouldn't want one.

    There was quite a mini black market in Melbourne recently for international students bringing in cartons of smokes to sell. I guess the larger black market may increase now… Still not a reason to tax the #### out of tobacco. Thank you to the government for helping to reduce the numbers of smokers.

    There are 2 certainties in life, smokers and their families know them both very well!

  • cashless on 18/07/2017 - 19:50
    +9

    The next step is total ban on smoking Australia wide

    • lolmao on 18/07/2017 - 22:32
      +1

      hopefully

  • STE on 18/07/2017 - 20:25
    +6

    finally made another attempt to give up this year after 25 years smoking. Champix seems to be working so far, 2 months without and feeling much better for it. Have to say i would have been outraged at the changes if was still a smoker, i thought 50 was pathetic.

    • Findo on 19/07/2017 - 01:28
      +1

      Keep it up! I didn't smoke as long as you did but every quit attempt is one step closer to success. 50 ciggies plus one additional open packet no greater than 25 cigarettes meant you could really only bring in 60 ciggies, or you had to cough up and pay the ripoff duty free prices back in Australia. I'm still outraged, but it doesn't bother me anymore. I wonder if we're the only country with stupid pack sizes of 20, 21 (Stuyvesants loosies), 23 (new and improved Dunhill ciggies in response to govt price hikes), 25, 26 (Stuyvesants at it again), 30 and 40?

    • bobbified on 19/07/2017 - 08:41

      I've only heard good things about Champix.

      Did you have any side-effects? My boss used it and has been off for 7 months, but he reckons he's had lots of nightmares.

      • Findo on 19/07/2017 - 10:04
        +2

        Champix is no good for people with depression

        • STE on 19/07/2017 - 16:40
          +1

          it apparently has negative side effects and enhances depression on a small % of people who take it. I've never had a chance at successfully quitting prior to Champix. I am experiencing 0 side effects. I still fancy a cig every now and then but there are no hard cravings anymore. You have very lucid dreams on Champix, i guess that is the only side effect i can mention if i had to mention something, I have not had any nightmares yet.

        • Save Medicare on 19/07/2017 - 20:43

          Meanwhile bupropion is literally an antidepressant

  • voteoften on 19/07/2017 - 03:30

    Here in Wa, there are people who choose to live in regional areas. They completely flip when they want to buy a last minute peak period fare and it's exorbitant. They whinge like NYE uber users. They are demanding that they can fly x number of times at a subsidised cost. Seriously, if this scheme came into action, there would be no seats available. The airlines won't expand capacity at peak times when they are going to get screwed on fares they could get from elsewhere.

    Everyone wants everyone else to pay for the choices they make. It's ridiculous.

    • whooah1979 on 19/07/2017 - 06:08
      +3

      Wrong topic?

    • Baysew on 19/07/2017 - 08:45

      See if they can throw in some mats and a full tank of petrol and I reckon you will be good to go.

  • ribze1 on 19/07/2017 - 10:45
    +2

    So smokers save ~$20 less, massive impact on the 14% of Australian adults whom smoke, let alone travel.

    • bobbified on 19/07/2017 - 10:57

      It'll have a bigger impact on the overseas travellers coming into Australia.
      They'll need to buy more of their cigarettes from within Australia while they're here.

      • ribze1 on 19/07/2017 - 10:59
        +2

        Whilst it will annoy alot of tourists whom smoke it won't stop them coming nor ruin their trip.

        Expensive and restricted alcohol sales in the UAE - same case, different vice.

  • AlanHB on 19/07/2017 - 13:39

    I've recently swapped from smoking to vaping and it's way nicer, as well as incredibly cheaper. Give it a shot.

    • Gelato on 20/07/2017 - 17:03

      Hey, what's your recommendation on vaping? My mate has been asking and i've no idea

      • AlanHB on 20/07/2017 - 20:38
        +1

        It's one of those things you really have to try out for yourself, but the gear I use currently is:

        • Vapresso Tarot Nano
        • Aspire Nautilus 2 Tank (w/0.7 ohm coils)

        I initially bought e-juice from VaperEmpire but trying some stuff from HiLiq now.

        I originally had the Vapresso Veco tank but it's absolute crap compared to the Nautilus. As it was my first tank, I wasn't sure if I was doing it wrong or what, just a crappy experience. Swapped to the Nautilus 2 tank, is the best :)

        • Gelato on 20/07/2017 - 21:54

          Cool, thanks for sharing!

  • tightm8 on 19/07/2017 - 14:16

    ScoMo and MrT need the $$$

  • Aerith-Waifu on 19/07/2017 - 16:06
    +4

    Simple Solution: Quit and do yourself & people around you a favour

  • Mahoora on 19/07/2017 - 16:50

    Thanks for letting me know such an useful information!

  • [Deactivated] on 19/07/2017 - 19:22
    +2

    Should ban them completely.

  • Marcsie on 19/07/2017 - 23:12

    Who cares ?

  • Brett308 on 20/07/2017 - 07:10

    smoking is a drug addiction but i wonder how many smokers consider them selves drug addicts.

    I have friends that smoke and they say its their choice to smoke but with smoking you really only have 2 choices, you chose to start (probably at a young and stupid age) and you chose to quit. anything in between is addiction and in no way a choice.

  • starspawn on 20/07/2017 - 12:30
    +1

    Every time I flew back from the US I would come back with a carton of American Spirit cigarettes in my backpack.

    Stuff the duty free limits!

  • Pyrock on 20/07/2017 - 13:10

    You mustn't be a true oz-bargainer or you would have never started smoking.
    Assuming you consume a pack every 2 days, thats about 180 packs a year.
    Lets assume a packet costs you $20 (i know they cost a lot more)
    that's over $3,600 a year
    You could be spending this figure on bargains instead of investing in your declining health (which in turn will cost even more years later)

    • bobbified on 20/07/2017 - 13:50

      that's over $3,600 a year

      Everyone has different smoking habits so I can only tell you about my own. I'm pack/day and sometimes three packs over the weekend depending on where I go. Some of these are shared, but nevertheless, that's what I pay out of my pocket. All in all, sometimes seven packs and sometimes eight packs per week. Each pack is $30.

      So, using 7.5 packs per week, it'll be 7.5 x 30 x 52 = $11,700

      Nothing to brag about. Just the price of my bad habit.

      To be honest, I actually quite enjoy smoking.

  • Bunnyburger on 20/07/2017 - 13:15

    I've never smoked one bit in my entire life. But people should be able to smoke in the privacy of their own homes without taxed so damn much for it.

    Some folks might say we're not paying for your lung cancer, others might say we're not paying for your liver disease. Everybody has pursuits that are detrimental to their health one way or another with some degree of risk involved. But as it stands now people have just decided to target smoking because the anti smoking movement has a better PR campaign running right now.

  • seedy on 20/07/2017 - 13:21

    Bummer, I guess they must be trying to cover the $31.5bn that smoking and related illnesses cost the Australian economy http://www.health.gov.au/tobacco.

    • bobbified on 20/07/2017 - 13:41

      Someone obviously hasn't read the earlier posts! haha

  • bwatt72 on 11/01/2018 - 12:29

    My parents are over on holiday they go back to uk next week a mate has asked her to take back a carton 200 cigarettes each.
    I believe australia is the most expensive place to buy in the world right?
    They would only be doing this as a favor to mate but i said leave it.
    So what options do they have flight is from perth,doha then to london and scotland.
    They are not smokers themselves and neither am i so i dont have any idea whats allowed if worth it and if its even cheap to do so.

  • DauntingEarth on 25/12/2018 - 18:37

    I live in Sydney. Does it work if I go to airport just to buy cigarettes from their duty free stores inside and come back out and go home?

    • carwashhair on 25/12/2018 - 19:23
      +1

      I think it'll work. Just buy a fully flexible ticket overseas, check in, then go thru customs, pick up your ciggies then decide you don't want to fly so you have to then come back thru customs. Then book your flight again for the next time you need more duty free ciggies. rinse and repeat. Simple!

      • DauntingEarth on 26/12/2018 - 13:38

        Very detailed explanation I think we are on to something!

      • i7-2600k on 27/12/2018 - 18:16

        once you check in you lose any chance of cancelling a flexible ticket

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