TARANAKI: An increase in the tax of cigarettes, which has been imposed by the government to reduce the flow of cigarette rotation in the country, has made the smokers quit the habit. An increase in tobacco tax has seen a rise in the number of smokers in Taranaki calling for help to quit.
The 10 per cent increase in tobacco excise came into effect on January 1 and Quitline has reported a busy start to the year, with 40 people from Taranaki signing up in the first seven days of January.
Paula Snowden, Quitline’s chief executive, says a price increase always prompts smokers to try to quit the addiction. “Some people don’t realise that the proportion of the tax passed onto the consumer is actually determined by the tobacco industry.”
The price of a Freedom Black 20s pack is now $18.90, while smokers will face a cost of $71.90 for 50g of Port Royal rolling tobacco.
Snowden said family and health reasons are other contributors to the increase of people signing up to Quitline support services.
