In an attempt to discourage smokers from lighting up, New Zealand is considering raising the price of a pack of cigarettes to as much as $100 by 2020, Sky News reported.
The suggested measure is one of many ideas from New Zealand’s Ministry of Health to make the country smoke-free by 2025, according to a document released to 3 News in New Zealand.
Another option being considered would be to increase the price of a pack of 20 cigarettes 10 percent each year from 2013 to 2025 – eventually costing $40 a pack. The more extreme $100 a pack version would be achieved by an immediate price increase of 30 to 60 percent, with an annual increase of 30 percent.
The briefing paper said: "Tobacco taxation is the single most effective intervention available to drive down smoking prevalence figures."
The Ministry is also considering regulating tobacco as a highly toxic substance, banning smoking in cars with children and increasing the number of anti-smoking campaigns.
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