Tobacco Tax Increase

Tobacco Tax Increase

The Government should be commended for the continued implementation of 10% tax increases over the next four years. Tobacco tax is seen as the most useful tool in the box of tobacco control measures but it should come with greater support than what has been offered up.

“The level of funding on tobacco use, even with the additional $20M over the next four years, is like trying to cover an elephant with a fig leaf. said Mr Bradbrook. The sector had already lost millions over the last 5 years so effectively this is a zero budget as well. Considering the Government is taking a further $528M over the same period it puts the $20M into stark contrast.”

A better solution would be for a dedicated ring-fenced tax regime that was directly invested into measures that supported campaigns, quit programmes and further research and evaluation.

“In effect smokers would be supported by a percentage of the monies they are already paying in tobacco tax to assist in their quit journey. The bottom-line is the government should be into saving lives not simply taking tax to prop up the NZ economy.” stated Mr Bradbrook.

ends

© Scoop Media