The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is
joining opposition to possible regulations on the strength
of nicotine vaping liquid.
Taxpayers’ Union
spokesman Louis Houlbrooke says, “The Government would
certainly benefit from regulations on the strength of vaping
liquid. By making vaping less attractive than cigarettes, it
will continue to receive strong excise tax revenue streams
from current smokers.”
“However, a crackdown on
vape liquids would be terrible for the wallets and health of
current smokers, many of whom are on low incomes. This would
deny smokers an opportunity to deliver themselves tax cuts
and relative health benefits by switching to vaping. In
practice, this often starts with a higher-strength liquid to
match the sensation of a cigarette.”
“Associate
Health Minister Jenny Salesa will be under pressure from her
Finance Minister to protect revenue streams, but she has a
responsibility to act in the interests of smokers’ health,
not continue the Government’s addiction to cigarette
revenue.”
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