No smoking please, we are in New Zealand
Source: Agencies |
May 25, 2012, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THERE are smoke-free bars, smoke-free parks, even smoke-free college campuses. But a smoke-free country?
New Zealand's government yesterday squeezed smokers more than ever by announcing a 40 percent hike in tobacco taxes over the next four years. Prices here are already among the highest in the world, and by 2016 they will top 20 New Zealand dollars (US$15) a pack on average.
Officials hope higher taxes and new restrictions will bring the nation of 4.4 million closer to a recent pledge to snuff out the habit entirely by 2025. Other countries have lauded the idea of trying to wean their populace off tobacco, but few, if any, have been willing to put a date on it.
Health officials here are so serious they recently considered hiking the cost of a pack of cigarettes to NZ$100. Although that idea was dismissed, another measure, which will force retailers to hide cigarettes below the counter rather than putting them on display, will come into effect in July.
Smoking rates among New Zealand adults have fallen from about 30 percent in 1986 to about 20 percent today. Cigarette sales have fallen more sharply, suggesting that even people who haven't quit cut back as prices rose.
People who are still smoking aren't happy about where prices are going. Chris Hobman said the cost is "horrendous" and could drive some low-income people to commit crimes to support their habit. He said the government needs to provide more support and alternatives to smokers if it's serious about making them quit.
Wellington resident Hayley Mauriohooho, who has smoked for about 20 years, said that although it would be good if more people quit, higher taxes won't stop her. "It's quite ridiculous for the government to be concentrating on that. They have bigger things to worry about."
New Zealand's Cancer Society reacted to the announcement by sending out a press release titled "Thumbs Up!"
The New Zealand branch of cigarette company British American Tobacco says the tax increases will force consumers to turn to the black market.
The South Pacific nation's smoking statistics are similar to those in other developed countries. According to a 2011 study by the World Health Organization, about 20 percent of adult New Zealanders smoke. That compares to about 16 percent of adults in the United States, 17 percent in Australia, 23 percent in China and 27 percent in France. New Zealand already charges more than 70 percent tax on cigarettes, compared to 41 percent on average for China, 45 percent on average for the US, 64 percent for Australia and 80 percent for France.
New Zealand's government yesterday squeezed smokers more than ever by announcing a 40 percent hike in tobacco taxes over the next four years. Prices here are already among the highest in the world, and by 2016 they will top 20 New Zealand dollars (US$15) a pack on average.
Officials hope higher taxes and new restrictions will bring the nation of 4.4 million closer to a recent pledge to snuff out the habit entirely by 2025. Other countries have lauded the idea of trying to wean their populace off tobacco, but few, if any, have been willing to put a date on it.
Health officials here are so serious they recently considered hiking the cost of a pack of cigarettes to NZ$100. Although that idea was dismissed, another measure, which will force retailers to hide cigarettes below the counter rather than putting them on display, will come into effect in July.
Smoking rates among New Zealand adults have fallen from about 30 percent in 1986 to about 20 percent today. Cigarette sales have fallen more sharply, suggesting that even people who haven't quit cut back as prices rose.
People who are still smoking aren't happy about where prices are going. Chris Hobman said the cost is "horrendous" and could drive some low-income people to commit crimes to support their habit. He said the government needs to provide more support and alternatives to smokers if it's serious about making them quit.
Wellington resident Hayley Mauriohooho, who has smoked for about 20 years, said that although it would be good if more people quit, higher taxes won't stop her. "It's quite ridiculous for the government to be concentrating on that. They have bigger things to worry about."
New Zealand's Cancer Society reacted to the announcement by sending out a press release titled "Thumbs Up!"
The New Zealand branch of cigarette company British American Tobacco says the tax increases will force consumers to turn to the black market.
The South Pacific nation's smoking statistics are similar to those in other developed countries. According to a 2011 study by the World Health Organization, about 20 percent of adult New Zealanders smoke. That compares to about 16 percent of adults in the United States, 17 percent in Australia, 23 percent in China and 27 percent in France. New Zealand already charges more than 70 percent tax on cigarettes, compared to 41 percent on average for China, 45 percent on average for the US, 64 percent for Australia and 80 percent for France.
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