Andrew Williams MP
Spokesperson for Revenue
25 May 2012
Tobacco Tax Hike Revenue Should Go to Help Smokers Quit
New Zealand First is asking the Government to guarantee that revenue from its tax hike on tobacco is used exclusively to
tackle the harmful effects of smoking.
Revenue spokesperson Andrew Williams says if the Government is serious about people giving up cigarettes then they need
to put their money where their mouth is.
“They should use the extra tax to boost anti-smoking public awareness campaigns, provide targeted health professional
intervention, and integrate smoking cessation programmes.
“Primary Health Organisations should be better funded, smoking cessation workers require quality training, and
innovations such as Quit Cafes should be established.”
Mr Williams says failure to do this raises the question of whether National hiked the tax out of real concern for the
health of New Zealanders.
“Or are National just playing buddies and paying off the Māori Party in order to keep their vote and support?
“If that is the case then National has created a smokescreen to what is simply a money grab from smokers.”
ENDS