Cigarette tax boost urged

Press, 18 June 1986, Page 8

Cigarette tax boost urged

The Government will be urged to Increase cigarette taxes — to try to discourage young people from smoking — by a deputation of health and welfare leaders today. The deputation comprises Dr David Hay, medical director of the Heart Foundation; Dr Jane Chetwynd, a Christchurch health economist; Mrs Ann Carter, president of the Ngatitoa branch of the Maori Women’s Welfare League; and Mr Dick Smithies, director of the Consumers’ Institute. It will meet the Undersecretary of Finance, Mr de Cleene.

The deputation was concerned about the increase in smoking among teenagers and those of lower income groups, said Dr Chetwynd. Death rates from smok-ing-related diseases were already higher among those on lower incomes and as larger numbers of young people started smoking there would be an even greater increase in smoking-related deaths and disease. Increasing the price of cigarettes was the most effective smoking deterrent among those groups, she said.