黑料吃瓜群网

The federal government has appointed Erin Dale in the newly established role of Illicit Tobacco and E-Cigarette Commissioner to ramp up the fight against black market nicotine products.

Dale 鈥� currently an Assistant Commissioner, leading the Tobacco and E-Cigarette Taskforce聽鈥� will act in this role on an interim basis from 1 July 2024 until a formal appointment is made.

She has previously held various senior executive positions across ABF, including leading all national and regional border operations at Australian ports, overseeing travel, trade facilitation and enforcement functions.

The Illicit Tobacco and E-Cigarette Commissioner will be an essential role in coordinating efforts to combat the threat of illicit tobacco and e-cigarettes, said the government in a statement. The commissioner will build on and strengthen existing arrangements, to ensure a more integrated whole-of-government response.

Since new regulations banning the import of disposable vapes began on 1 January, the ABF and have jointly seized close to 1.9 million illicit vapes, keeping products off the street and out of the hands of young Australians, while putting a dent in the black-market supply chain.

Additionally, from 1 January to 30 April, the ABF has seized more than 112 tonnes of tobacco and 608 million cigarettes.

The establishment of the commissioner role follows the recent launch of the government鈥檚 $63.4 million campaign, which is raising awareness of the health harms of smoking and vaping and encouraging Australians to take advantage of expanded quit support services.

Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler said, 鈥淚llicit tobacco and vaping products pose serious concerns to Australia鈥檚 success in tobacco control in our community, and I鈥檓 pleased to have Erin Dale to take on this role to ramp up our fight in this Australian-first role.

鈥淲e are tackling illicit products on multiple fronts and our coordinated efforts are working to control these products which are hooking Australians on nicotine, with dire health consequences.

鈥淎nyone seeking help to quit smoking or vaping can call the Quitline on 13 QUIT (13 7848), visit quit.org.au or download the My QuitBuddy app,鈥� Dale said.

Image credit: iStock.com/mgstudyo