Cigarette Tax To Jump By 13.7% On Monday

[icyfroth]

Cigarette taxes will jump by a hefty 13.7 per cent on Monday, the second of four outsized increases in as many years.

The excise on a pack of 20 will climb from $8.13 to $9.25, an increase of $1.12. The excise on apack of 40 will climb from $16.26 to $18.51.

If fully passed on, it will push the price of a packet of 40 above $30 and push the price of some packets of 20 above $20. The increase means the price of cigarettes for casual smokers will approach $1 a stick.

Labor announced a series of four increases mid-last year, with the first of 12.5 per cent due on December 1 followed by three more on September 1 in each of the following three years.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/a-dollar-to-light-up-smokers-brace-for-another...

"It's also important that the tax increases are accompanying a great deal of publicity about the harms of smoking and measures such as plain packaging."

Yeah sure. Like they give a rat's backside about ppl's health. Main thing is the cash grab. 

[fourandsixpants]

Did some research ima....yes, you are correct.......

It's highly illegal unfortunately. Just a short while ago we had an industry here. Then the tobacco giants paid off the government and the growers with big pay outs to close the industry. They did this as the law said they had to use 25% (from memory) of local tobacco in their blends. Australian tobacco was expensive and it was a thorn in their side. They needed to get rid of that extra expense and squeeze some more profit. They did the math, bribed the politicians, paid out the farmers, shut down the industry and now it's illegal to grow it. Incredible.

Making the growing of Marijuana for personal use years ago - illegal, did not stop many people so I imagine same with tobacco.

I am not condoning growing tobacco....just saying is all.

[imastawka]

Bet it's easier to get dope seeds than tobacco seeds though

[lealta]

Holy cow that's expensive.  I live in California, one of the highest taxed states in the U.S for cigarettes.  Here, they are about 8.00 a pack of 20, which converts to about $8.50 Australian currency.  I quit smoking a few years ago and I'm so glad I have that monkey off my back. 

[k0llectable5]

Ultimately the best option is clearly to not smoke cigarettes, but fgs it's just another plant that is relatively easy to grow according to Paints link above.  I read that article it's got some really good advice for those that would like to give growing tobacco a go.  Not that I condone growing the stuff at home but honestly it's just criminal that growing it imposes such harsh fines.  And it would have to be better for you than smoking the "tailor mades" that are sold in the stores that have all those poisoness toxins added in and gunpowder in the paper to make them burn faster ect.  

[daydream**believer]

this isnt about getting the current smokers to quit.

They are beyond help unless they themselves decide to quit.

This is about deterring young people from taking it up and i think it will do that

[fourandsixpants]

Young people are influenced by their peers. Full stop

.

If it is the  cool and popular thing, today, to rip your socks off and BE SEEN to be rubbing plum jam between their toes - in a group or with a couple of friends (whichever is deemed coolest!) they will be saving and borrowing to buy plum jam and the coolest socks!!.......

If smoking is deemed as an 'uncool' practice in their peer group then most youth won't engage.

There would be some youth peer groups who would smoke as part and parcel of promoting a 'tough' look.

Price increases would not discourage in any shape, way or form the practice of taking up smoking or the habit of smoking IMO amongst youth. Price increases would have more effect on older folk as a group.....

doesn't leave too many options for some IMO.................

..................................

[k0llectable5]

Dont you think though Paints that they are influenced by their parents aswell?  If they see their parents smoking which in turn gives them direct access to cigarettes then they are probably more likely to take up smoking than those whose parents dont smoke?

[daydream**believer]

"Price increases would not discourage in any shape, way or form the practice of taking up smoking or the habit of smoking IMO amongst youth."

i disagree

[daydream**believer]

---

@secondhand-wonderland wrote:

Dont you think though Paints that they are influenced by their parents aswell?  If they see their parents smoking which in turn gives them direct access to cigarettes then they are probably more likely to take up smoking than those whose parents dont smoke?

---

Or, like me, they were so disgusted by their parents (my dad) habit that there was no way they were ever going to take up the habit themselves

[fourandsixpants]

No. It is about education IMO.

Sure, you will get the odd 10 year old who will pinch a '**bleep**' or 'one of Mums or Dads or Grannies smokes....' to light up and cough and gasp with some friends for kicks.....but from my own personnal experience it IS about education.