Significant pressure on airport infrastructure and lack of awareness among travellers has prompted the Australian Airports Association (AAA) to urge the government to postpone its inbound tobacco allowance reduction until March 2013.

The reduction has given customs authorities’ inadequate time to educate passengers or prepare an operational plan, according to AAA chief executive Caroline Wilkie.

Ms Wilkie said that an educational campaign would not start until the reduction came into effect, causing concerns that the anticipated 1.7 million passengers would arrive with excess tobacco in the first full year after the reduction is introduced.

Australia’s Tourism and Transport Forum also protested against the reduction, pointing out in a letter to the Attorney General, “there is very clear advice from Customs that there will be increased scenes of aggression in the customs halls of our international airports...the delays and scenes of civil disturbance associated with this measure will inevitably lead to fewer repeat visitors or favourable referrals”.