Charge smokers $20 a packet for cigarettes, says acting AMA SA president

LEADING doctors in South Australia have called for the price of cigarettes to be further increased after the latest tax hike failed to significantly deter smokers.

The Australian Medical Association SA says the Federal Government's 25 per cent tax increase on May 1 - an average jump of about $2.16 for a pack of 30 - was inadequate.
Figures obtained by The Advertiser show calls to Quit SA have only increased by 10 per cent, from 190 a week before the tax increase to 210 a week.
However, in the four weeks immediately following the rise, calls did reach over 300 a week.
The Federal Government expected the tax increase to generate an extra $5 billion in revenue over four years