Smokers face $20 cigarette packs

5 Jul 2009, 11:20 am   -   Source: AAP
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Kicking the smoking habit could look a little more attractive if the federal government goes ahead with recommendations from a new preventative health report.

Kicking the smoking habit could look a little more attractive if the federal government goes ahead with recommendations from a new preventative health report.

Cigarettes could cost more than $20 for a packet of 30 and come in plain wrapping if radical proposals now under consideration by the federal government are accepted.

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Cigarettes could cost more than $20 for a packet of 30 and come in plain wrapping if radical proposals now under consideration by the federal government are accepted.
           
The government is considering a cigarette tax hike and a ban on all remaining tobacco advertising and sponsorship in response to its yet-to-be-released Preventative Health Taskforce report.
           
Anti-smoking organisation Quit welcomed the news and policy manager Kylie Lindorff said increasing cigarette prices would save thousands of lives that otherwise would be lost to the devastating harms of tobacco.
 
Government urged to slash smoking rates
 
The landmark report, now being examined by Health Minister Nicola Roxon, urges the government to slash smoking rates over the next decade to nine per cent, reducing the number of people aged 14 and over who smoke daily from three million to two million.
           
Under the changes, some of which were canvassed in a discussion paper released late last year, cigarette packets would be generic and plain, with larger graphic health warnings taking up about 90 per cent of the front and 100 per cent of the back.
           
Tobacco companies also face a blanket ban on all sponsorship, Internet sales, public relations activities and "corporate responsibility" donations, Fairfax Newspapers say.
           
Plan backed by anti-smoking organisations
 
The plan has been strongly backed by anti-smoking organisations such as the Public Health Association, the Cancer Council, the National Heart Foundation and Quit, but has alarmed cigarette companies, which claim it could be unlawful.
 
"Tobacco is the number one cause of preventable death in Australia, claiming 15 000 lives each year, so we cannot afford to take the foot off the accelerator when it comes to introducing robust measure to drive smoking rates down,” Quit’s Ms Lindorff said.
 
"Research consistently shows increases in the real price of cigarettes are crucial to reducing smoking rates."
 
Data released in Victoria earlier this year suggested that the overwhelming majority of adults - more than 80% - approved of increased tax on cigarettes if the money went toward services to assist smokers to quit smoking.
 
"Contrary to popular belief, the move to increase tobacco tax will be welcomed by smokers as well as non-smokers, with research revealing that more than 60% of current smokers are in favour of a tax increase on cigarettes,” Ms Lindorff said.
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Your Comments

Good Idea

... - from Victoria, 2 years ago

I'm only 17 but i think it is a great idea, smoking is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in Australia and it is a behavioural choice, it is a pointless exercise which has no positive benefits. It doesn't just affect the smokers themselves but it causes health risks to their families and all those around them. With the amount of health risks associated with smoking, smokers should be paying a higher tax as they take up public hospital beds due to preventable lifestyle diseases.

Interesting

Chris - from Hobart, 2 years ago

It's interesting that this kind of demographic targeting isn't considered discrimination by our government. smokers are already unable to smoke in so many locations. With this kind of scheme smoking may as well be criminalised. Its' akin to sending convicts to Australia for minor offences, you cant solve a problem by creating another one!

mt

hi - from bathurst, 2 years ago

hi im young i dont care

absurdities

Rusty - from Sydney, 2 years ago

Haha, does that mean your going to try and ban macdonalds as well? I agree some people are dispicable and discourteous and it is perhaps the worst form of littering. But do you really think ensuring that only the rich can buy them will cure stupidity? There are smokers who are considerate, who are conscious of others, and obay the law. Why the deprive the less financially fortunate of the free will to decide for themselves by making cigarettes a "luxery boutique item". This wont work

Mr

Andy King - from Brisbane, 2 years ago

Why not $40.00. Some of the tax can go towards cleaning uo all the butts that the pigs throw out of cars, and maybe kerb some of them from consuming this crap offensive drug.

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