13 MAY 2019

The burden of tobacco tax on Maori investigated in the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union's report Ka Tukuna Atu, Ka Tukuna Mai has been backed up by the NZIER.

Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams says, “In our report, Ka Tukuna Atu, Ka Tukuna Mai, we found that Māori are being forced to pay $519 million annually in tobacco excise – $120 million more than the amounts spent on Maori development and Treaty settlements combined."

"NZIER has now confirmed that once GST is taken into account, Maori pay $723 million in tobacco excise. The Government is simply giving with one hand and taking with the other, and on a net basis tobacco excise is disproportionately impoverishing Māori.”

“The solution is to make it much easier for current smokers to start vaping and access other alternative products. The Government should also acknowledge the social costs of tobacco excise and stop any plans for future hikes.”

ENDS

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