Smokers to be hit with tax slugs

Legislation to slug smokers higher taxes on cigarettes has passed the lower house with bipartisan support.

Smokers will soon be slugged extra tax on cigarettes under draft laws that lift the cost to $40 a packet within four years.

Bipartisan legislation to increase the taxes passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday - after the government earlier used its numbers to cut short the debate - and will head to the Senate where it is expected to pass.

"There will be fewer young kids who take up smoking and Australia will be healthier as a result," shadow assistant treasurer Andrew Leigh told parliament.