Press Release

Media Advisory: Commentary

Dairy Owners Tobacco Tax Targets

With each hike in tobacco prices there is a corresponding rise in dairy and petrol station robberies. "Coincidence?" asks Joy Faulkner, "I don't think so. And what is the Minister of Police's weak-kneed response? That these businesses should spend their ever dwindling profits on expensive alarm systems, high premium insurance cover, and on a direct dial 111 button!"

What is the simple answer? "First, she says, "that they be allowed to defend themselves and their property. Second, bring the bloody taxes on cigarettes back down. How many deaths and violent crimes will it take before the government does this?"

Tobacco taxes are about simple revenue collection, not about health; the $800 million extorted from tobacco taxes doesn't go on smokers' health, despite covering these costs three times over. Says Faulkner: "This is about government greed, this is about the feeding of a frenzied bureacracy, and the poor smoker is an easy target - and now the dairy owner is too."

"Tax is theft Mr Hawkins, cigarette tax is extortion. No better than a mafia extortion racket. All he has to do is ban it to stop the 'health cost to the country', but where would his govt get their pound of flesh then? Would we suddenly see a 'fat tax' on the demon sugar, or on dairy products such as butter and cream?"

"Wake up and smell the coffee," she warns punters, "it's not about tobacco, or crime, it's about control, power and money. YOURS!!! Once I as a smoker have been bled dry, your choice of pleasure will be the next target. Ask yourself: Can you afford to pay that price?"

ENDS

Joy Faulkner Founder Smokers Of The World Unite Libertarianz Spokesman for Tobacco and Alcohol Deregulation

Contact: jfaulkne@ihug.co.nz 092684251 or 025 201 9604

Join my email smokers loop: http://www.egroups.com/group/Smokersoftheworldunite

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