Tobacco tax on the increase.

[Headbanger]

If they ban smoking, half our hospitals would be able to close.

Because people who don't smoke don't get sick and die?

Nice thought, afraid thats not how it works.

I'm a non-smoker,actually I'm an ex-smoker, and I'm quite happy for all the smokers to pay all that extra tax and then die before they become a strain on society.

[Jonno.]

Is this shit for real? Does anyone actually think this is going to make anyone quit.

Since I smoked cigarettes have gone up by about 25%.
I know many people who smoked for 10 years before I started who are still smoking. I've never met someone who quit due to a price rise.

[EJK]

Is this shit for real? Does anyone actually think this is going to make anyone quit.

Since I smoked cigarettes have gone up by about 25%.
I know many people who smoked for 10 years before I started who are still smoking. I've never met someone who quit due to a price rise.

But I think it will stop some non-smokers to go to smokers. For example, "Oh man, that's so expensive. Nah, fuck it". That's my case.

[DMNTD:Me]

But I think it will stop some non-smokers to go to smokers. For example, "Oh man, that's so expensive. Nah, fuck it". That's my case.

Heh! Doesn't stop people buy meth...or beer...or...

[Headbanger]

Is this shit for real? Does anyone actually think this is going to make anyone quit.

Since I smoked cigarettes have gone up by about 25%.
I know many people who smoked for 10 years before I started who are still smoking. I've never met someone who quit due to a price rise.

Granted we have never met, But I gave up after 17 years as they were just too damn expensive.

That $100 a week was enough for a Harley, and then a Speed Triple.....

[EJK]

heh! Doesn't stop people buy meth...or beer...or...

or... MORE KFC YO!!!!!!!!!

[Jonno.]

What I meant is I'd definetly say this is more financially motivated then socially.

[EJK]

Still it will work for some people. Not all people. Yes, it will work.

[twotyred]

why do people think that the gubmint gives a shit about you peons smoking or not?... it's just more revenue gathering

[rainman]

Thought someone else would have started this thread by now.

Maybe because it getting harder and harder to say any good things about this government? Plus the risk of having a smartarse like me pointing out that this is easily as Daddy State as anything to do with shower heads and lightbulbs
For a change, I think this is a great move by National.

What about all the public health care costs associated with smokers. And the loss of income tax on people who die early or retire early due to health problems.

I came across a link on another site that claims that tax on smokers already pays more than the health costs. Not sure lost income tax from early death/retirement/etc was counted in that, though. Anyone know if this is actually true?

Exactly. It's all about maximising revenue.

Got it in one. Gotta pay for those tax cuts for the rich pricks!

I'm a non-smoker,actually I'm an ex-smoker, and I'm quite happy for all the smokers to pay all that extra tax and then die before they become a strain on society.

Problem is they tend to die in slow, messy, and expensive ways. Or not actually die, but just need expensive treatment. I haven't smoked for about 20 years, and the further I get from it the more I think it must have been a period of astounding insanity on my part. Why would any sane person smoke?

Of course, the hypocrisy regarding taxing ciggys more heavily but not alcohol should be astounding, but is completely expected (of either National or Labour).

Wonder if it's illegal to sell home grown tobacco? I have some seeds around somewhere. Could make a pretty penny, I suspect. Can't sell my homebrew though, so I expect it's Not Allowed by the State.

[Headbanger]

Problem is they tend to die in slow, messy, and expensive ways. Or not actually die, but just need expensive treatment.

Income from smoking 1.2 billion
Cost of smoking related diseases 400 to 600m

The way they die isn't a problem, they pay for their own health care and a huge whack of other peoples.

[rainman]

Income from smoking 1.2 billion
Cost of smoking related diseases 400 to 600m

The way they die isn't a problem, they pay for their own health care and a huge whack of other peoples.

Ta for that, confirms the info from the other site was correct. So, tax the smokers because they're an easy target, is it?

[Mrs Cowboyz]

Wait til alcohol becomes just as socially unacceptable, then you will see tax rises on that as well.

[Headbanger]

They only do what we allow them to do.

[CookMySock]

They only do what we allow them to do.

Yeah but how long before people get angry enough to tell them to get fucked? Thats going to take ages. The govt just wants more cash to run their political machine. More cash = more promises = longer in power.

No one is angry enough to do anything about it.

Steve