From tomorrow, Malcolm Turnbull is hitting smokers with yet another rise in cigarette taxes

The day has unfortunately arrived.

From tomorrow, Malcolm Turnbull is hitting smokers with yet another rise in cigarette taxes. Starting September 1, the cost of cigarettes will rise by 13 per cent. There are another three planned annual increases of the same magnitude that will continue until 2020. This is on top of the twice yearly indexation rises applied to tobacco products.
If you walk into the supermarket tomorrow, a pack of Winnie Blues will rise from about $28.95 to $31.20. By 2020, the same pack will cost you $42.70.

The rationale is that it’s for your own good. But it’s not.

It’s simply an easy way for the Government to rake in more money. Of course, that’s not what they’ll tell you.

For instance, they’ll argue that the tax helps people stop smoking. Yet, the number of smokers has actually increased since 2013. They’ll also argue it helps to offset the costs to the health system. Yet smokers generate more than 17 TIMES the revenue that they cost to the health system.

It’s not a tax. It’s an excuse to take your money.

It’s an injustice that is causing a number of smoking-related problems:

• The growing levels of tobacco crime – the price of cigarettes in Australia is now so much higher than other countries that smuggling is attracting international crime syndicates
• The disproportional impact on low income households – more smokers come from low income households, so the government is punishing the most disadvantaged
• The millions of Australians who are being slugged without being given an alternative, as the government refuses to legalise e-cigarettes
• The further marginalisation of smokers who are facing being banned from outdoor dining areas, pubs, bars, festivals, restaurants and hotels.

I do not believe that more tax is the answer. It’s a lazy solution that creates more problems. In this case, it’s nothing but a smokescreen for the government to take away the choices of adults who choose to smoke, under the guise that the government knows best.

Jeff, with your help I’ll keep the pressure up on the Government to stop this madness. Chipping in $10 means that I might be able to promote our campaign on social media. $50 might allow me to put a billboard up, just like I did last year.

You can also help by spreading this message. Help get out my message that smokers should no longer be exploited anymore.

Senator David Leyonhjelm

www.ldp.org.au