Tougher penalties proposed for smokers buying illicit cigarettes

South Australia's police commissioner has called for tougher penalties for those who buy illicit tobacco products, in an effort to crack down on the black market trade.

Grant Stevens said the matter of penalising people caught buying illegal cigarettes was one that "needs to be considered".

"There is an opportunity for people to avoid significant costs by purchasing illicit tobacco, and I think that there are questions that need to be asked about how we can kill off the market," the commissioner said.

"Why are there no sanctions for people who are, essentially, creating the market for organised crime?"

"It's illegal to sell it [illegal tobacco], it's illegal to import it — it's not illegal to buy it and use it."

Tobacco laws are enforced jointly by federal, state and territory authorities.

The commissioner, who issued a similar call two years ago, said while the problem was "not anywhere near as bad" as what it had become in other states, it had nevertheless led to significant criminal activity in SA.

"We certainly have a problem with illicit tobacco distributors being the target of criminal offending, including arsons; we've had some drive-by shootings, we've had assaults," he said.

"This is because there is this illicit market that has crept into South Australia."

"We have a dedicated taskforce that are investigating the criminal offending associated with the illicit tobacco market, and this illicit market that is being exploited by organised crime exists because the market has been able to flourish."

The commissioner's comments come as the federal opposition announced plans to tackle the illicit tobacco trade, including slashing the tobacco excise and legalising vapes and nicotine pouches.

In a statement, South Australian Health Minister Blair Boyer said the government "treats tobacco addiction as a health issue and has no plans to change that approach".

"Our focus is firmly on those who profit from that addiction and undertake illicit tobacco offences specifically related to the sale supply and possession of illicit tobacco for sale."