Parliamentary passage on Wednesday, April 28 of a 10% increase in tobacco tax brings the price of one pack of cigarettes to over US$10.

The bill has also scheduled two additional 10% increases, one starting January 1, 2011, and another on January 1, 2012. Meanwhile, smoking cessation organization Quit Group noted that a previous tax increase on tobacco resulted in triple the number of callers seeking help to stop smoking.

Hats off New Zealand legislators for these effective measures to protect public health! We also thank Quit Group and all anti-smoking campaigners for your assistance in helping to save lives as we wish for a soon smoke-free New Zealand and world to benefit all beings.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10641425
http://www.timeslive.co.za/lifestyle/health/article422872.ece/New-Zealand-to-raise-smoking-sin-tax  
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=201004280214dowjonesdjonline000314&
title=new-zealand-government-likely-to-raise-excise-tax-on-tobacco-wednesday  
http://www.guide2.co.nz/politics/news/tobacco-price-hike-wins-praise-and-a-huge-majority/11/15967