Tobacco tax on the increase.

[Milts]

Heh!! Sounds like a simalar 'arguement' ACC just did on motorcyclists.
Asd per usual, stats can be interperated several ways

Sure, but these come from the health department rather than the government itself. If you have contradicting data, go ahead and post it.

5000 – The number of deaths due to tobacco a year, including from second-hand smoke.

19.9 – The percentage of Kiwi adults that smoke. (Maori adults - 40.4)

$1.3 billion– The total yearly revenue that will be raised by tobacco excise and GST after the changes are fully in place (2012).

$1.9b – The annual health-related costs of smoking according to the Health Department.

$57m – What the Government pumps into tobacco control and stop smoking programmes each year.

40,000 – How many people the Health Ministry estimates will stop smoking because of the price rises.

300 – How many deaths are estimated to be prevented by the rises.

Also note that the number for tax raised from cigarettes includes GST on top of the tobacco tax.

[Milts]

It's also about the punishment/reward paradigm. I seem to recall you get better results with the carrot rather than the stick, but maybe we are not considered adult enough to appreciate the difference and need to be treated like naughty children.

I agree that it's not the best solution, by a long way. I'm just disagreeing with everyone who was posting "it's all about revenue" and "they are still profiting on tax after health costs" who didn't post any stats to support their claims.

I also find it odd that national agreed to push this through under urgency, claim they are saving lives, and all of this just days after they refuse to even consider any extra tax on alcohol despite the Law Commission reccomending it with full support from the NZ police, among others.

[Bald Eagle]

I agree that it's not the best solution, by a long way. I'm just disagreeing with everyone who was posting "it's all about revenue" and "they are still profiting on tax after health costs" who didn't post any stats to support their claims.

I also find it odd that national agreed to push this through under urgency, claim they are saving lives, and all of this just days after they refuse to even consider any extra tax on alcohol despite the Law Commission reccomending it with full support from the NZ police, among others.

Tragic as well I am sure we are all aware of stories of over indulgence in alcohol killing people on a regular basis,in most violent and unpleasant ways. I have yet to hear of a single incident where someone had too many cigarettes and then beat up their partner/kids/strangers etc. I do believe the double standard at work here is money driven. Whats the govt revenue from alcohol taxes ?

[slofox]

Whats the govt revenue from alcohol taxes ?

$907,000,000 in 2008 (customs nz figures)

[p.dath]

I think the increase in excise tax on tobacco will be a good thing. I think the largest effect it will have is to reduce the number of youths who are considering taking up smoking.

Those already well addicted are probably going to continue to smoke and give up something else so that they can (and probably complain loudly about it, yet fail to acknowledge the terrible burden smoking places on the health system).

This will probably help those that are thinking about quitting to make the decision easier for them.

There is also bound to be some negative impacts, such as the illicit sale of tobacco products, and the growth of a small underground business. But even considering this, I think the benefit to the rest of the country is so great that we need to do this.

Hopefully we'll be able to move to making tobacco a restricted drug like cannabis in 10 years.

... flame retardant suit on ...

[Milts]

Tragic as well I am sure we are all aware of stories of over indulgence in alcohol killing people on a regular basis,in most violent and unpleasant ways. I have yet to hear of a single incident where someone had too many cigarettes and then beat up their partner/kids/strangers etc. I do believe the double standard at work here is money driven. Whats the govt revenue from alcohol taxes ?

I have no idea, but probably pretty high. To be honest I can almost see where they're coming from, because alcohol, drunk sensibly and in moderation (even if you get drunk not doing so 3 times a week), CAN have minimal effects. Whereas smoking is harmful in smaller amounts and also addictive in a way alcohol is not. It is still a bit of a double standard though...

[Bald Eagle]

I think the increase in excise tax on tobacco will be a good thing. I think the largest effect it will have is to reduce the number of youths who are considering taking up smoking.

Those already well addicted are probably going to continue to smoke and give up something else so that they can (and probably complain loudly about it, yet fail to acknowledge the terrible burden smoking places on the health system).

This will probably help those that are thinking about quitting to make the decision easier for them.

There is also bound to be some negative impacts, such as the illicit sale of tobacco products, and the growth of a small underground business. But even considering this, I think the benefit to the rest of the country is so great that we need to do this.

Hopefully we'll be able to move to making tobacco a restricted drug like cannabis in 10 years.

... flame retardant suit on ...

A reformed sinner perhaps, or just a well intentioned nanny state supporter ?

[Eyegasm]

"Thank you for Smoking"

Greatest film ever about smoking!!!

......And, Fuck giving the gubbermint more moolah

......................I QUIT!!!

[p.dath]

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

But the cost and difficulty in availability of meth (as in you can't just buy it from a shop) will prevent many people from trying it and getting addicted.

[p.dath]

A reformed sinner perhaps, or just a well intentioned nanny state supporter ?

Yawn. Well intentioned nanny state supporter. Smoking does nothing good. Nothing.

[Tony.OK]

Man there's some "precious" people on here................."oh all you smokers are costing the country money!!!"



So if I earn more than someone else..........that means I pay more tax..............so I should be allowed to have better or longer health care than someone who's paid less tax in a lifetime of working?


The way I see it is smokers are funding the possible future health costs themselves........................this is just National turning NZ further into a dictatorship state.............SORRY VOTERS, WE WILL DO ANYTHING WE WANT 'CAUSE WE KNOW THERE AIN'T NO ONE BETTER TO VOTE FOR!

[Swoop]

Dont smoke but am mightily pissed off with the Nats and their smiling donkey conman frontman.

Yes. This must have been the National party at work again. Do you not realise that the majority of parliament voted for this?

After a debate under urgency tonight the bill was passed into law on a vote of 118-4 with all parties except ACT giving it full backing. ACT split its vote with one MP supporting the bill - John Boscawen - and the other four opposing it.

[p.dath]

The way I see it is smokers are funding the possible future health costs themselves........................this is just National turning NZ further into a dictatorship state.............SORRY VOTERS, WE WILL DO ANYTHING WE WANT 'CAUSE WE KNOW THERE AIN'T NO ONE BETTER TO VOTE FOR!

But they aren't funding it. There is a shortfall. But that's not the worst bit, the worst bit is they are also hurting their family, children, friends, work colleagues, and those around them. That's the bit that is not acceptable. Period.

[Motig]

Yes. This must have been the National party at work again. Do you not realise that the majority of parliament voted for this?
After a debate under urgency tonight the bill was passed into law on a vote of 118-4 with all parties except ACT giving it full backing. ACT split its vote with one MP supporting the bill - John Boscawen - and the other four opposing it.

You do realise that the fag tax was not complained about dont you, just the never ending increases in other items

[dogsnbikes]

For me all this has done is increased my smoking habit by about $5 aweek,so its not something I'm really going to notice........those that will be stung hardest is those on lower income's where finding the money to afford the smoke's becomes piority,the sad part about it will be its most likely going to mean less money for house keeping/food,so although the goverment is trying to hit the adult smokers in the pocket and making it a good incentive for the younger generation to not start smoking,I feel there will be more hungry mouths out there...

The reality is for those that can't afford it should'nt do it