Tobacco tax hike to hit smokers hard

TIME TO QUIT: The price of a pack of cigarettes will move up to more than $20. PHOTO/FILE.

Another hike in the cost of tobacco could finally push some Wairarapa smokers to give up the addictive drug.

New Year's Day marked the third 10 per cent increase in tobacco tax since 2013, when the government announced a plan to increase the tax by 10 per cent annually until 2016, to encourage smokers to quit and prevent young people from starting.

The increase is expected to push the price of an average pack of cigarettes up to more than $20 for Wairarapa's 5550 regular smokers.

Quitline chief executive Paula Snowden said because of this and New Years resolutions, they were expecting plenty of calls.

"January is always our busiest month and we know a price increase prompts hundreds of smokers to try to quit the addiction."

Census figures show more and more people are quitting in Wairarapa.

From 2006 to 2013, there was a 19 per cent drop in the number of regular smokers in the region.

Comments on the Times-Age Facebook page show some smokers might be influenced but other people thought it wouldn't make a difference.

Pip Clement said she smoked but it "may be time to re-evaluate if that is the case".

Marnie Gardiner said it was "time to quit".

Roma Baker also smokes but said she would go without something else if she chose to keep smoking.

Tiana Maree Francis said it would affect children.

"Let's watch more kids go hungry cause parents who can't get their priorities straight will dip into food money to support their habit.

"How bout putting the same tax on booze since that has a more tragic effect when people get behind the wheel and drive ... "

Others also said alcohol should be taxed in the same manner.

Don Wills said it was a double standard and booze prices should be trebled.

"It's about time they start taxing alcohol, look at the deaths, crimes and family issues it causes," said Allan George.

Some people said it would help stop exposure to second hand smoke as it kills around 350 people a year.

Kennedy Gray said it came at the expense of others.

"I don't like walking up the street pregnant breathing in second hand smoke that can harm me and my baby, [just] because smokers want to relieve their "stress levels"."

Many ex-smokers said they were glad to have kicked the habit.

"Wow thank goodness we quit, that's crazy money to pay," said Katrina Markenstein.

Hazel Turner, who quit in 2013, said it was one resolution she was glad to have achieved.

Mike Smith used to smoke heavily. "Until I quit 20 years ago I smoked 60 plus a day, that would cost about $500 a week now. An expensive way to commit suicide."

Tobacco kills over 5000 New Zealanders every year and the Government is aiming to make the country smoke-free by 2025.

For help, call Quitline on 0800 778 778, talk to your health provider, or call Whaiora Aukati Kai Paipa Quit Coaches on 0800 494 246.

People can also sign up to www.quit.org.nz where they can access a full quit smoking support programme and order subsidised patches, gum and lozenges online.