Australia’s former deputy chief medical officer has hit out at the Albanese government for driving smokers into the arms of organised crime.

The nation’s illicit tobacco market has exploded over recent years, with black market trade rising from 3.1 billion cigarettes in 2022 to estimated 6.6 billion in 2025.

Over the same period, the number of cigarettes sold on the legal market has decreased from 11 billion to 3.1 billion.

This surge in black market sales has led to an explosion of violence, as organised crime gangs have fought for control of a market that is now worth an estimated $10 billion.

In Victoria alone, there have been more than 125 firebombings connected to the illicit tobacco trade since early 2023.

Speaking to Nine’s Today program on Friday, Dr Nick Coatsworth placed the

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