Post by N on Dec 30, 2009 17:40:34 GMT -5
Doctors belonging to the Victorian branch of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) would like the state to raise the tax on tobacco, raising the price of a pack of cigarettes to $20, with the proposed ‘tobacco transaction levy’ increasing the cost of a cigarette by 10-cents from July 2010 and rising 30-cents by July 2012.
Appealing to the Victorian Government, the AMA says, rather than the Federal Government keeping silent months after receiving the Preventative Health Taskforce, it should introduce the tax, as a survey has also found three quarters of smokers willing to quit smoking if a packet of cigarettes cost double of what they do now.
Dr. Harry Hemley, Victoria President of the AMA believes introduction of the tobacco transaction levy by the Victorian State Government would ensure an extra $3-billion a year from Victoria alone, including funding the shortfall in public hospital expenditure.
Dr. Hemley, urging the State Government to introduce the ban said, inaction on part of the Federal Government to respond to the primary health care strategy has prompted the AMA to encourage the introduction of this transaction levy at state level.
In his statement, Dr. Henley said: ‘A significant price increase should be the next step in reducing the addiction, disease and death we see from cigarette smoking. Children are particularly price sensitive, so a steep increase in the cost of smokes should see less children taking up this destructive habit’.
While, the Federal Government continues to examine the Health Taskforce report, a spokeswoman for the state Government welcoming debate on the issue said the tax proposal will be examined thoroughly.
"These price hikes are just a money making fucking scam!" Well screw you guys I will smoke dope it's bloody cheaper you Bastards!
Appealing to the Victorian Government, the AMA says, rather than the Federal Government keeping silent months after receiving the Preventative Health Taskforce, it should introduce the tax, as a survey has also found three quarters of smokers willing to quit smoking if a packet of cigarettes cost double of what they do now.
Dr. Harry Hemley, Victoria President of the AMA believes introduction of the tobacco transaction levy by the Victorian State Government would ensure an extra $3-billion a year from Victoria alone, including funding the shortfall in public hospital expenditure.
Dr. Hemley, urging the State Government to introduce the ban said, inaction on part of the Federal Government to respond to the primary health care strategy has prompted the AMA to encourage the introduction of this transaction levy at state level.
In his statement, Dr. Henley said: ‘A significant price increase should be the next step in reducing the addiction, disease and death we see from cigarette smoking. Children are particularly price sensitive, so a steep increase in the cost of smokes should see less children taking up this destructive habit’.
While, the Federal Government continues to examine the Health Taskforce report, a spokeswoman for the state Government welcoming debate on the issue said the tax proposal will be examined thoroughly.
"These price hikes are just a money making fucking scam!" Well screw you guys I will smoke dope it's bloody cheaper you Bastards!