The Rising Cost of Smoking in Australia: A Deep Dive into Cigarette Prices

‍price of cigarettes in australia
Smoking has long been an expensive habit, but for smokers in Australia, it comes with a hefty price tag. In fact, Australia has been ranked as the most expensive country in the world for smokers, with a single pack of cigarettes tearing a hole of almost US$26 in an Australian smoker’s wallet¹. This exorbitant cost has led many to wonder why cigarettes are so expensive in Australia compared to other countries.

The Cost of Smoking in Australia and New Zealand

Australia’s neighbor, New Zealand, is not far behind in terms of cigarette prices. A 20-pack of Marlboros in New Zealand can cost upwards of US$22¹. These high prices can be attributed to the heavy taxes imposed on tobacco products by both the Australian and New Zealand governments.

Expensive Countries for Smokers

Aside from Australia and New Zealand, other countries on the list of the most expensive places for smokers include Ireland, Norway, and the UK¹. Ireland, in particular, has seen a significant increase in cigarette prices, going from $8.88 in 2019 to $11.70 in 2021¹. France, known for its affinity towards smoking, has also raised its prices from $8.88 in 2019 to $11.70 in 2021 and is considering further increases¹. On the other hand, cigarette prices in the United States have been rising more slowly, going from $7.43 a pack in 2019 to $8.00 a pack in 2021 and projected to reach $9.00 by 2023¹.

Comparing Smoking Expenses: Australia vs Turkey

Australian smokers may find themselves enviously eyeing the smoking expenses of Turkish individuals. In Turkey, the price of a whole pack of cigarettes is almost equivalent to the price of a single cigarette in Australia¹. This stark difference highlights the significant disparity in cigarette prices between countries and sheds light on the financial burden that Australian smokers face.

Government Measures to Curb Smoking

In an effort to protect public health and reduce smoking rates, the Australian government has implemented various measures to discourage smoking and increase the cost of cigarettes. The recently announced budget includes a 15% rise in cigarette prices over a three-year period, aiming to raise $3.3 billion in taxes[^2^]. This increase will push the average cost of a pack of cigarettes to nearly $50[^2^]. Additionally, loose-leaf and roll-your-own tobacco products will be taxed in the same way as cigarettes starting from September 1, 2023[^2^].

The government’s objective is to reduce the national population of smokers to below 10% by 2025 and further decrease it to just 5% by 2030[^2^]. To achieve these goals, the government plans to introduce a funded tobacco information campaign, particularly targeting young people[^2^]. It also aims to crack down on the sale of vapes, with a ban on selling them anywhere except for pharmacies[^2^]. Only doctors will be authorized to issue prescriptions for nicotine e-cigarettes, and their use will be strictly limited to smoking cessation purposes[^2^].

The Impact of Rising Prices on Smoking Rates

The correlation between cigarette prices and smoking rates is well-established. Higher cigarette prices have been shown to discourage smoking and reduce the prevalence of smoking, especially among young people[^2^]. By making cigarettes more unattractive due to their higher cost, the Australian government hopes to see smoking rates plateau and eventually decline, particularly in the crucial under-25 age group[^2^].

The Environmental Impact of Discarded Cigarettes

In addition to the financial implications of smoking, there is also an environmental cost. Approximately 4.5 billion cigarettes are discarded every year, contributing to pollution and littering[^2^]. The government’s efforts to reduce smoking rates not only aim to improve public health but also have a positive impact on the environment by reducing the number of discarded cigarettes. price of cigarettes in australia

Conclusion

Smoking in Australia has become a luxury that comes at a high price. The country’s steep cigarette prices reflect the government’s commitment to curbing smoking rates and protecting public health. The rising cost of cigarettes, along with other measures such as the taxation of loose-leaf tobacco and the crackdown on vapes, are intended to make smoking less appealing and ultimately reduce smoking rates. While these measures may impact smokers’ wallets, they also have the potential to improve public health and create a cleaner, smoke-free environment. price of cigarettes in australia

With the Australian government’s ambitious goals to drastically reduce smoking rates, it will be interesting to see the long-term effects of these measures and whether they will successfully achieve a significant decline in smoking prevalence.

Footnotes

Source: Infographic Newsletter [ ^2^]: Source: The Anthony Albanese-led team ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷