I am just wondering if anyone has an opinion about Pauline Hanson’s cigarette tax recommendation? The idea makes sense. Slash the prices, which would kill the black market and allow the government to collect more taxes. But I have more questions than answers. Is this a smart move? Would this really kill the illegal tobacco trade? Is there no other way to address the illegal trade in a country surrounded by the sea? Is this a smart and strategic political move or just a cheap attempt to collect points before the next election?
Good questions. In the U.S. we have most issues with interstate bootlegging, which is a result of different taxation policies.
Making cigarettes cheaper will make people smoke more - it sounds incredibly obvious because it is.
That said, it’s pretty hypocritical of governments to rake in millions from cigarettes then tell smokers they should quit! Ms Hanson is, unfortunately, unqualified to comment on anything more serious than plain or chicken salt!
Spot on @Bailey - she is just hunting for cheap political points and it’s sad to see the number of people who don’t see through her cheap tricks is quite high. Let’s just hope everyone comes to their senses before the election.