Australia

Doctors in the Australian state of Victoria are urging lawmakers to introduce a new tobacco transaction tax raising the cost of a pack of 30 cigarettes to AU$20 (US$18.32), a move that they say would help cut smoking rates.

"Three quarters of smokers said they would quit if the price of cigarettes rose by half," according to Australian Medical Association (AMA) Victoria president Harry Hemley citing a survey conducted in 2009.

"A significant price increase should be the next step in reducing the addiction, disease and death we see from cigarette smoking," Dr Hemley said. "Children are particularly price sensitive, so a steep increase in the cost of smokes should see less children taking up this destructive habit.

The federal government has failed to implement substantial tobacco increases. It is now time for the Victorian government to take matters into its own hands and introduce a tobacco transaction levy."