Labor tobacco policy a 'money grab': Ley

The federal health minister is hitting out at a Labor proposal to increase the cost of cigarettes, saying it's a 'grab for money'.

The federal health minister is hitting out at a Labor proposal to increase the cost of cigarettes. (AAP)

Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley has criticised Labor's plan to almost double the price of a packet of cigarettes to $40 by 2020.

"This is a grab for money. It is a political statement and I don't like it," she told ABC TV on Sunday.

The price hike would punish people who ought to be supported, she said.