One Nation, Coalition bank on cigarettes staying uncool as they get cheaper
The Coalition and One Nation are proposing to slash tobacco excise taxes to combat the black market, while Labor argues this approach is ineffective. Despite concerns about youth nicotine use, smoking rates among teenagers remain historically low.
Why it matters
The debate highlights the tension between public health goals and the economic reality of a thriving illicit tobacco and vape market.
Angus Taylor this week has argued the "horse has already bolted" on higher smoking rates. ( ABC News: Ian Cutmore )
Link copied Share Share article Is smoking cool again?
Better not ask singer Charli XCX, who was photographed at the height of her Brat summer, receiving a birthday bouquet stuffed with cigarettes.
At the time Vogue noted the tongue-in-cheek gift was the kind of thing a Swiftie might "baulk" at.
No shade to Taylor Swift, but the subtext was clear: smoking was, regrettably, cool.
Singer Charli XCX was photographed at the height of her Brat summer receiving a birthday bouquet stuffed with cigarettes. ( Reuters: Daniel Cole )
Fortunately for Australian health advocates, that aesthetic does not appear to have penetrated the psyche of the average teenager.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in