Ash: Increases should have been higher
Thursday, 13 Mar 2008 11:36
Increased taxation on tobacco products is welcome but not as high as it should be, according to Action on Smoking and Health (Ash).
The campaigning group's comments follow the chancellor's announcement that the price of a pack of 20 cigarettes will rise by 11p and five cigars by 4p.
Alistair Darling also said in his first Budget that the five per cent reduced rate of value added tax on smoking cessation products will continue beyond June 30th this year.
Ash welcomed this decision, claiming that these products are a proven method of helping people to quit.
But the group is disappointed the government did not substantially raise tobacco tax above the inflation rate.
"Not only is this a proven method of reducing the amount of cigarettes smoked but it is also a popular measure," a statement said.
"According to a recent opinion poll 61 per cent of respondents favoured a rise in tobacco tax above the rate of inflation."
The statement added: "Furthermore, 44 per cent of respondents said they would strongly support a tax rise of 20p per pack if the money raised was used to prevent young people from taking up smoking and to help people stop smoking.
"An additional 20 per cent said they tended to support such a move."
