One third of Kiwi smokers admit to sacrificing essentials

20 MARCH 2018

A new global survey of smokers just released from the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, has found that 36% of New Zealand smokers admit to spending money on tobacco that they know ‘would be better spent on household essentials like food’.

Taxpayers' Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says, “Sadly, this finding is no surprise. Because tobacco is addictive, smokers are likely to respond to tax hikes by cutting back on other parts of their grocery bills. This survey confirms that many are sacrificing food and essentials for their families and kids.”

“We already knew the current revenue-hungry tobacco policy was driving crime. Now we know it’s taking food off the table. These harms are made even worse while the Government drags its feet on legalising healthier smoke-free alternatives like nicotine e-cigarettes. National and Labour should both be ashamed.”

The Taxpayers’ Union’s recent report Up in Smoke: The social cost of tobacco excisefound current tobacco policy is both ineffectual, and harmful.

ENDS

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