New Zealand is looking to raise the price of a pack of cigarettes to $100.
That’s right. The Ministry of Health wants a smoke-free New Zealand by 2025, and the $100 price tag, while considered a bit unrealistic, is being considered to help cure smokers from their unhealthy habit.
The tobacco industry has a long history of regulation in New Zealand. The first legislative attempt to ban cigarettes stems back to 1906, though nothing was on the books until the late 1980s. NZ also has the first smoke-free building in the world.
The thinking behind the exorbitant cost is based on experience. According to Sky News, taxation is the single most effective intervention.
“Other ideas discussed in the document include regulating tobacco as a highly toxic substance, a ban on smoking in cars with children, a doubling of anti-smoking media campaigns and removing tobacco from duty-free sale.”
There is some concern that the increase will only fuel a black market.
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Up until now I thought the few things a street or subway thief might use a razor blade to slice my pocket for were cameras, cash and phones.
Now you are going to add a pack of 20 (or a less) cigarets to that list??
Way to go!!
Time to rethink that plan!!