Coalition plan to cut tobacco excise by 80% ‘will kill people’ Labor says amid public health alarm
The Australian Coalition has proposed an 80% cut to tobacco excise to combat the illicit cigarette trade, a move strongly opposed by Labor and public health experts. Critics argue the policy will increase smoking rates and undermine public health efforts.
Why it matters
This represents a significant policy debate regarding the balance between law enforcement, tax revenue, and public health outcomes in Australia.
Public health experts have raised alarm over the Coalition’s plan to cut tobacco excise by 80% in an attempt to combat the illicit tobacco trade. Photograph: Irina Iriser/Pexels Public health experts have raised alarm over the Coalition’s plan to cut tobacco excise by 80% in an attempt to combat the illicit tobacco trade. Photograph: Irina Iriser/Pexels Smoking Coalition plan to cut tobacco excise by 80% ‘will kill people’ Labor says amid public health alarm Angus Taylor and Matt Canavan claim drastic cut to price of cigarettes and moves to legalise vapes will combat illicit tobacco trade
Prefer the Guardian on Google Leading public health experts, the Australian Medical Association and Labor have rejected Angus Taylor’s plan to cut tobacco excise by 80%, labelling the move to curb soaring illegal cigarette sales as a backward step on tobacco control.
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