Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Fire bombings, extortion, murder, and billions of dollars flooding organised crime. Australia’s tobacco wars are spiraling, and the consequences are now playing out in communities right across the country.
In an explosive 7NEWS Spotlight investigation host Michael Usher is on the frontline of the booming illegal tobacco trade – an underground economy now worth an estimated $6 billion, fueled by tonnes of illicit cigarettes and leaf tobacco entering Australia’s ports every day.
From border seizures to raids on suburban tobacconists now dotting most suburban corners, this is a confronting look at how Australia has lost control of its nicotine market and how we might be able to look to examples overseas to stop it becoming worse.
📌 For more on this story, visit: https://7news.com.au/spotlight/7news-spotlight-from-firebombings-to-extortion-and-murder-why-cant-the-government-stop-the-war-in-our-suburbs-c-22421231
*Connect with 7NEWS Spotlight online*
Visit 🔗https://7news.com.au/spotlight
7NEWS Spotlight Podcast 🎧 http://smarturl.it/7NewsSpotlight
Facebook facebook.com/7newsSpotlight
Instagram instagram.com/7newsSpotlight
TikTok tiktok.com/@7news.spotlight
7NEWS combines the trusted and powerful news brands, including Sunrise, The Morning Show and 7NEWS.com.au, delivering unique, engaging and continuous coverage on the issues that matter most to Australians. Watch 7NEWS nightly at 6pm and weekdays at 12pm and 4pm on Channel 7 and 7plus
Fire bombings, extortion, murder, and billions of dollars flooding organised crime. Australia’s tobacco wars are spiraling, and the consequences are now playing out in communities right across the country.
In an explosive 7NEWS Spotlight investigation host Michael Usher is on the frontline of the booming illegal tobacco trade – an underground economy now worth an estimated $6 billion, fueled by tonnes of illicit cigarettes and leaf tobacco entering Australia’s ports every day.
From border seizures to raids on suburban tobacconists now dotting most suburban corners, this is a confronting look at how Australia has lost control of its nicotine market and how we might be able to look to examples overseas to stop it becoming worse.
📌 For more on this story, visit: https://7news.com.au/spotlight/7news-spotlight-from-firebombings-to-extortion-and-murder-why-cant-the-government-stop-the-war-in-our-suburbs-c-22421231
*Connect with 7NEWS Spotlight online*
Visit 🔗https://7news.com.au/spotlight
7NEWS Spotlight Podcast 🎧 http://smarturl.it/7NewsSpotlight
Facebook facebook.com/7newsSpotlight
Instagram instagram.com/7newsSpotlight
TikTok tiktok.com/@7news.spotlight
7NEWS combines the trusted and powerful news brands, including Sunrise, The Morning Show and 7NEWS.com.au, delivering unique, engaging and continuous coverage on the issues that matter most to Australians. Watch 7NEWS nightly at 6pm and weekdays at 12pm and 4pm on Channel 7 and 7plus
