Chop Chop (Tobacco)
Chop Chop is an Australian term for home grown or untaxed, illegal tobacco. Producers of "chop-chop" tobacco avoid excise and taxation levies. "Chop-chop" is not produced under the legal restrictions and health regulations or any guidelines.[1]
Health concerns
Chop Chop is sometimes view as being more healthy than normal, branded tobacco. However research has shown that it can contain contaminants such as twigs and pulp from raw cotton, hay, cabbage leaves, grass clippings and chloride products. Mould and fungi are also commonly found in "chop-chop" samples.
Smoking "chop-chop" has the potential to cause greater illness, than branded tobacco and possible fatality in those who use it. This is due, largly, to the dense volume of fungal contamination that is usually found in samples of "chop-chop". These fungi can cause toxic responses in the lungs, liver, kidneys and skin. The illnesses may range from allergic reactions, chronic bronchitis and asthma to lung cancer or legionnaire’s disease.
Smoking "chop-chop", like smoking manufactured tobacco products, has a cancerous or contaminating effect on every single organ or system in the human body.
Trafficing
Because of its illegal nature, Chop Chop is often transported and stored in a clandestine manner. A recent example was the discovery of hundreds of kilograms of Chop Chop in an underground bunker in Mareeba, Queensland. The bunker had a hydraulically operated steel trapdoor that was openable from the owners bedroom. The bunker was discovered when a taxation officer noticed that the bedroom's floor sounded hollow. [2].
References
- ↑ www.Health.gov.au - The Facts about "Chop-Chop" Tobacco
- ↑ www.CairnsPost.com.au - Bunker Bust (also on Page 1 of The Cairns Post, August 30 - 2007)