Smokers Warned to Stock up Before Friday
29 DECEMBER 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Taxpayers’ Union is reminding smokers to stock up before the Government’s 10% hike in tobacco excise tax which comes into effect on New
Year’s Day.
Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, says:
“From Friday, a 20 pack of cigarettes retailing for $20 will include around $16 of tax. According to public health
experts the tax is already more than three times the cost to the health system of smoking.”
“No one would argue against smokers being taxed to cover the cost of their habit. But hiking taxes, when the rate
already covers the costs three times over, makes a complete mockery of the National Party’s election promise not to
increase taxes.”
ENDS