Black market cigarettes selling in dairies but no packaging prosecutions in 12 months (opens original article in a new tab)

The Ministry of Health has not prosecuted any cases of tobacco packaging rule violations in the past year despite finding black market cigarettes in dairies. Illicit cigarettes with non-compliant packaging are being sold at lower prices, and customs seized a record number of illicit cigarettes in 2025. A government action group has been formed to address the issue, but some stakeholders call for more immediate action.

• Ministry of Health has not prosecuted anyone for tobacco packaging rule breaches in 12 months
• Illicit cigarettes sold in Auckland dairies with non-compliant packaging and lower prices than legal products
• Customs seized 11.1 million illicit cigarettes in 2025, up from previous years
• Government formed a blackmarket tobacco 'action group' with Customs, police, and health officials