...that the collected tobacco excise taxes, even by the admission of the healthists, are much much greater than the costs on the health care system from smoking?
Didn't I just post that? Ah, yes. And this isn't new news: it's been true for years.
But, their deal with the Maori Party will have excise taxes rise 10% this year and 10% next year, and bigger increases on loose-leaf tobacco to bring it into line with rolled tobacco.
Think ACT will ever get a 10% or 20% reduction in the tax on anything as a part of its coalition deal? Hmmm.
You know who I really feel bad for? The folks who voted National thinking they'd get less nanny-state as consequence. And, worse, the folks who campaigned for them on that basis. Think harder about it next time, guys.
