The price of smoking has become more expensive with the price of cigarettes to increase by 10 per cent, starting today.
The Government announced an increase in the price of cigarettes during its budget announcement in 2012.
The cost of a packet of 20 cigarettes is increasing from $14.40 to $16 and a whole packet of 25s will rise from $18 to around $20.
Tax increases are planned for the next three years, with today's rise part of the Government's plan to reduce the number of people smoking.
When the price hike was approved last year, Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia said the tax increase would drive down smoking rates, while saving lives and improving health.
She said smoking is by far New Zealand's single leading cause of avoidable death and disease.
Quitline staff are expecting an increase in calls in the next few weeks as smokers either begin to feel the financial strain of the price increase or embark on their New Year's resolution.
In January 2012, Quitline received 8222 calls after a similar price rise.
Anyone seeking support can call Quitline on 0800 778 778 or visit www.quit.org.nz.
5 comments
whitepaws
Posted on 01-01-2013 16:29 | By whitepaws
How come the price has gone from $14.30 to $16.00 EG. $14.30-GST=$12.44 plus 10%=$13.69 plus 15%GST=$15.74 Who is getting the other .26 cents?
$100 A PACKET
Posted on 01-01-2013 18:45 | By PLONKER
Why waste the time with little changes, make the tax $95 a packet and completely discourage the use of these foul and disgusting things that only do harm to the suckers on the end of it and all around them.
What's the point?
Posted on 02-01-2013 08:33 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
They will continue to keep smoking no matter the price because they are so highly addicted! If they want to kill themselves then fine! Let them kill themselves! The risks of smoking are very clearly written on every packet of cigarettes.
Just a reminder
Posted on 02-01-2013 09:38 | By Sambo
as a non smoker now!!!, that this habit is socially unacceptable, but let me point out that alcohol is also a drug and is more adictive than tobacco, and also causes more damage to society, and is a larger burden on tax payers pockets, than smoking ever will be, yet we have a spineless goverment who are too scared to amend the drinking age or the access to alcohol, so it all reeks of hypocrisy, and which lobby group has the loudest voice, or worst of all, is it because the goverment can gleen alot more dollars from people drinking!!!
.
Posted on 02-01-2013 10:12 | By Donnaw
The only thing this will achieve is it will push people to go to extremes to get the cash for smokes.....eg crime will increase. I don't think I've ever heard a case of someone killing someone else by smoking but every day you see what alcohol does, it's nothing more than a money spinner for our govt, putting the price up is not going to stop people from smoking, and as a smoker myself its not deterring me at all it's just pissing me off!
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