??Thoracic Society concerned by Senate inquiry's secret Big Tobacco meeting?

The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) has warned that calls to weaken tobacco control measures in response to the illegal tobacco trade would cause serious and lasting harm to public health, as the Senate Inquiry into the Illegal tobacco crisis in Australia commences hearings. 

The warning in TSANZ’ submission came ahead of the revelation that representatives of one of the largest tobacco manufacturers in Australia, Phillip Morris International, had been allowed to attend a private hearing after not being listed as witnesses. 

“TSANZ is concerned by the privileged access being granted to the tobacco industry and the secretive way this hearing has been conducted,” said TSANZ CEO, Vincent So. 

“If the tobacco industry is invited to provide evidence to the inquiry, it should be out in the open where it can be challenged, as appropriate, by public health and medical experts.” 

This builds on existing concerns shared by public health, medical and tobacco control advocates that the inquiry’s terms of reference exclude consideration of how responses to the illegal tobacco trade would affect public health. 

“The terms of reference limit consideration of public health impacts to the illegal tobacco trade itself, and not to the potential risks involved with widely promoted responses, such as reducing the excise,” said Mr So. 

“Given yesterday’s revelation, it’s hard to believe this was not a deliberate attempt to steer the inquiry to a certain conclusion. Committee members have questions to answer about the integrity of this Inquiry. Furthermore, the National Party is the only political party in Australia that accepted donations from Philip Morris ahead of the 2025 election. In 2024-25 alone, it took $137,500 in payments from Philip Morris International. Therefore, it is shameful but not a surprise that a Coalition Chair allowed this.” 

In its submission to the inquiry, TSANZ stressed that Australia’s tobacco control framework, particularly price-based measures such as excise, along with packaging and cessation support, has been among the most effective in the world, driving sustained reductions in smoking rates. The Society warned that any retreat from these policies would reverse decades of progress and disproportionately harm vulnerable communities. 

TSANZ emphasised that tobacco excise is a health measure, not a revenue strategy, and strongly opposed proposals to reduce excise as a response to illicit trade. The submission noted that price increases have been central to reducing tobacco consumption since the 1970s, and that lowering prices would undo hard‑won public health gains without eliminating the illegal market. 

TSANZ concluded that the inquiry represents a critical opportunity for the Government to hold its nerve and reinforce evidence-based tobacco control, while strengthening enforcement against criminal activity. Weakening regulation in response to illegal trade would compound harm, not resolve it. 

TSANZ’ inquiry submission can be found here. 

Attachments

250505 Secret big tobacco hearing media release.pdf

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