Tobacco.org

Government likely to raise tobacco tax in bid to cut smoking 

The Ministry of Health has given the clearest signal yet that the Government is likely to increase the tobacco tax to help reduce the number of people who smoke.

Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia, who sits outside the Cabinet, last year spoke supportively of tobacco tax increases in a speech that has put pressure on the Government on a range of tobacco policies.

Increasing the tax was "worth exploring if we are genuine about wanting to prevent uptake" of smoking, she said.

An acting deputy director-general at the ministry, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, has said officials had advised Mrs Turia on a tobacco tax rise.

"No final decisions have been taken, but it's something that's definitely being considered.

"We do know there's good evidence that increasing the price - and increasing taxes is the way governments can increase the price - does affect smoking rates; young people are particularly sensitive to increases in price."

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