The NT is the worst-performing jurisdiction in Australia in addressing illicit tobacco sales, according to a new report that reviewed every state and territory’s enforcement policies, with calls for the NT to introduce harsher penalties for illegal tobacco suppliers.

The report by the Australian Council on Smoking and Health (ACOSH), released on April 20, ranked the NT eighth out of eight states and territories, highlighting significant challenges in tackling illegal tobacco sales.

Despite having the highest smoking rates in Australia, the report highlighted that there have been no legislative changes made to modernise tobacco laws in the NT, indicating a state of policy stagnation, with poor performance of enforcement agencies in the Territory also contributing.

“We [ranked the states] by gauging how well governments can control the supply chain of tobacco, how governments were resourcing enforcement…and how well they were able to operate licensing schemes,” ACOSH chief executive Laura Hunter told the ABC about the report.

Ms Hunter recommended the Territory focus on implementing stricter penalties for those involved in the illicit tobacco trade, as well as enhancing resources for the agencies responsible for enforcing these laws.

“We need to see the introduction of real penalties that hit hard, and we need resourced enforcement — boots on the ground,” she said.

She added there is an urgent need for a complete overhaul of the Territory’s approach to tobacco regulation.

ACOSH – an independent advocacy group backed by health organisations including the Cancer Council, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Stroke Foundation – and other public health researchers are advocating for harsher penalties that would significantly deter suppliers of illegal tobacco, calling for “real penalties that hit hard.”

Experts recommend the Territory model new legislation on successful frameworks in leading jurisdictions, such as Queensland and South Australia, which have adopted proactive enforcement strategies and modern licensing schemes.

The report ranked Queensland number one for cracking down on illegal tobacco, followed by SA and NSW.

The Territory has the highest smoking rates in the country, with almost 20 per cent of deaths in the jurisdiction attributed to smoking.

Smoking prevalence among Aboriginal communities in the Territory is five times greater than the national average, according to government figures.

But the new report pointed out there have been no legislative changes in the NT in response to these issues.

A previous study conducted by the Menzies School of Health Research revealed that the overwhelming majority of individuals who either quit smoking or tried to cited the high price of tobacco as their primary motivation.

David Thomas, the head of tobacco control research at Menzies expressed significant concern about the surge of inexpensive, illegal cigarettes in the Territory, particularly due to the jurisdiction’s vulnerable population.

“We’re taking away one of the biggest motivators for people to quit and dramatically improve their health,” Prof Thomas told the ABC.

He emphasised the urgent need for legislative reforms that would implement strong deterrents against unscrupulous tobacco operators.

“That can easily be modelled on the excellent legislation brought in in Queensland and South Australia. Our bureaucrats do not have to reinvent the wheel.”

Health Minister Steve Edgington was contacted for comment, and also asked if the CLP Government would introduce new legislation to help combat illegal tobacco sales.