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. 

[cherry*135]

Good job. Better than charging low income families $7 each for a Dr visit.

[lionrose.7]

I would gladly pay $7 for a doctors Visit I pay $37 in NZ

[lind9650]

Icy, I don't know where you get the price for cigarettes, but a pack of 20 is or was already $15.05

So now the Government has a hook on the ones hooked on tobacco. Easy money for them to fill the coffers. I'm surprised they have not legalized other drugs and taxed them.

As you said, it is not because they care about the health of the people. Legalized extortion is all I can say.

No wonder e-cigarettes are getting popular.

Erica

[***super_nova***]

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@icyfroth wrote:

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

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they might care about all the costs of health care for smokers with their self inflicted health problems. 

[icyfroth]

I'm just glad I gave up 23 yrs ago.

[cherry*135]

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@lionrose.7 wrote:

I would gladly pay $7 for a doctors Visit I pay $37 in NZ

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Hop on a plan rosie, you're in the wrong country.

Medicare funded Bulk Bill clinics are free now, no need to burden the low income or chronically ill anymore financially, especially those trying to eke out a existence on a Govt pension.

[*mrgrizz*]

so long as they don't mess with the tax on bourbon..........otherwise i might be forced to cut back on beer

[lind9650]

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@am*3 wrote:

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@lionrose.7 wrote:

I would gladly pay $7 for a doctors Visit I pay $37 in NZ

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Hop on a plan rosie, you're in the wrong country.

Medicare funded Bulk Bill clinics are free now, no need to burden the low income or chronically ill anymore financially, especially those trying to eke out a existence on a Govt pension.

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Yes, am*3, until the Doctor decides that you need to see a Specialist. Then you need a refferal, that cost a pensioner $110.- , non refundable from Medicare. And each visit to the Specialist is about $78.- to $84.- Medicare will reimburse one for $45.- the rest is out of pocket for the pensioner.

They get us any way possible. Nothing is really free.

Erica

[lionrose.7]

Still better then NZ, cost to have a skin cancer removed in the tiny back room of the doctors $200 nzd.