Why does the government hate working-class smokers?
April 09, 2025 by citynews.com.au
Why does the government hate working-class smokers?
Low-income individuals in Australia are disproportionately affected by smoking, with more smokers and higher daily cigarette consumption. The high cost of cigarettes, driven by a 282% tax increase since 2013, has led to a thriving black market, resulting in a significant loss of government revenue. Despite efforts to curb illegal sales, the problem persists, similar to drug enforcement challenges. Advocate for lower cigarette taxes to address the issue face opposition from health officials. Transitioning to safer alternatives like vaping could be a solution, as seen in New Zealand. The current Australian government's stringent tobacco policies disproportionately harm the less privileged, potentially impacting their electoral support.
12.50% of the adult population are current smokers. There are approximately 2.6 million current smokers in Australia 14.80% of men are current smokers but only 10.30% of women.
SOURCE: GSTHR
