Te Reo Mārama welcomes tobacco tax increase

Te Reo Mārama welcomes the Government’s decision to support an increase in taxes on tobacco after a ten year wait since the last increase.

“Tax increases of this nature have waited ten years and it is a significant move towards reducing tobacco prevalence rates that particularly impact disproportionately on Maori.” said the Director of Te Reo Marama.

Tax increases that will be spread over a period of time also provides some It is particularly welcome to see loose tobacco being heavily taxed as it is consumed by a high number of smokers and is pleasing to see this increased significantly.

“The Government also needs to recognise that a tool such as tax can be a positive in terms of reducing prevalence rates but greater financial investment in quit programmes and campaigns needs to be made by the Government.” said Mr Bradbrook. “It would be ideal to actually have even 2% of this 10% increase to support cessation, health promotion and research activities on tobacco.

The tobacco industry knows that tobacco taxes will reduce their profit margin as smokers make the positive decision to quit.

“If there is a one thing we can take from this tax increase it is that the tobacco industry executives will be waiting for a massive fall off in there obscene profits that come from the lungs of smokers.” says Mr Bradbrook. “Particularly for Maori there is a hope that we will see a drop in consumption and quit rates that have remained high for decades.”

It is also enlightening to see cross party support for this measure. This should be recognised and acknowledged. Hopefully this support will continue for the strongest measures to eliminate the sale of tobacco that is being presented to the Maori Affairs Select Committee Inquiry on Tobacco.

“Tax is a great tool but ultimately the most effective measure is removing the sale of tobacco from this country. Saving 5000 New Zealanders each year, of which 600 are Maori, is the political solution that is being urged by submitters.” said Mr Bradbrook.

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