Last year, a total of 19,905kg of tobacco was seized, including 14.8 million individual cigarettes. The figures meant an average of 1.23 million cigarettes were seized each month in 2025. <\/p>\n
In the first four months of this year, 2.075m cigarettes were seized each month, on average. <\/p>\n
The figures suggested seizures of loose tobacco had fallen this year, with an average of 666kg seized per month in 2025. <\/p>\n
The monthly average for the first four months of this year was 257kg. <\/p>\n
Costello outlined the figures alongside Customs bosses at a post-budget select committee hearing yesterday. <\/p>\n
Speaking to Newstalk ZB, Costello said there were many reasons for the rise in seizures, and therefore importations. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think we\u2019ve had an issue with the excise increases breaching that threshold. We\u2019re at the point where there\u2019s this big price differential. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think also there has been, and I\u2019ve said it repeatedly, real misinformation around the health messaging on vaping.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said there was evidence some people had turned to cigarettes to give up vaping, as they were under the mistaken belief that cigarettes were less harmful. <\/p>\n
\u201cPlus, it\u2019s supply driven. It\u2019s there, it\u2019s available, it\u2019s cheap.\u201d <\/p>\n
A Customs investigation in May 2024 led to the seizure of 1.36 million illicit cigarettes, and five arrests. Photo \/ Supplied <\/p>\n
She said investments in the Customs force had improved the agency\u2019s ability to respond to imports, including working more closely with overseas partners to identify supply chains. <\/p>\n
In New Zealand, retailers found to be selling illicit tobacco face a six-month prison sentence, a $20,000 fine or both.<\/p>\n