Marti Zucco: New Smoking Tax – Money grab or real solutions?

Federal candidate for Franklin, Marti Zucco,said today that the federal government’s announcement to increase the cost of cigarettes to deter people from smoking is a good idea, but the government must do more if its intent is in fact to deter people from smoking. Or is it simply another money grab from those who can least afford it?

“If the government is fair dinkum about deterring people from smoking then all the funds derived from this new tax should be directed at other forms of assistance programs and not into consolidated revenue,” Mr Zucco said.

“The funds should be directed toward a medically led quit program.Any person seeking medical assistance to quitshould have their costsmade deductible under a special Medicare rebate.

“Any solutions such as patches, drugs, counselling and even hypnosis should be recoverable under our Medicare program when it has been prescribed by a medical practitioner.

“Otherwise,it’s simply another federal money grab disguised as a solution. Smoking-related illnesses cost this country millions in healthcare and destroy families. I felt it many years ago when my father died of a smoking-related illness.

“If the intention is to raise the cost of cigarettes then all those new funds should be directed towards programs to assist with the reason the new tax was implemented – to get people to quit smoking.

“The same principle should apply with alcohol, drug and gambling-related issues. Tax revenue from these activities should be directed to assist those who have associated problems. Raising taxes to deter is appropriate if the funds raised are directed towards assistance to quit and not just another money grab.”
Marti Zucco Palmer United Party Candidate for Franklin