Coalition plan to cut tobacco excise by 80% ‘will kill people,’ Labor says amid public health alarm

<p>Angus Taylor and Matt Canavan claim drastic cut to price of cigarettes and moves to legalise vapes will combat illicit tobacco trade</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/sep/03/anthony-albanese-one-nation-jim-chalmers-labor-liberal-angus-taylor-tobacco-plan-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>Leading public health experts, the Australian Medical Association and Labor have rejected Angus Taylor’s plan to cut tobacco excise by 80%, labelling the move to curb soaring illegal cigarette sales as a backward step on tobacco control.</p><p>Taylor and the Nationals leader, Matt Canavan, on Thursday announced plans for an 80% cut to excise, as well as moves to legalise and regulate vapes and nicotine pouches. The announcement comes weeks after the One Nation leader, Pauline Hanson, proposed a 75% cut.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/sep/03/coalition-plan-cut-tobacco-excise-legalise-vapes-price-cigarettes-illegal-trade">Continue reading...</a>