13.14 Public opinion about tobacco tax increases
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A study by the University of Melbourne in 1985 examined public attitudes towards government taxes and expenditures.278
Attitudes towards a variety of taxes, including tobacco taxes, were canvassed. The only tax in which a majority (51.8%) would support an increase was tax on tobacco products. Tobacco taxes were selected for increases over income tax, property taxes, taxes on motor vehicles, sales tax, company tax, import duties, and taxes on alcohol.
A number of state-wide and national polls assessing public opinion about tobacco tax increases have been undertaken over the past 20 years. Key findings are summarised in Table 13.25 below. In general, the surveys have shown broad and growing support for increased tobacco taxes, especially if revenue from the tax increases is used for health education among children. (Most of the earlier surveys also examined public attitudes towards tobacco advertising and sponsorship.)
Table 13.25
Public opinion on tobacco tax increases in six Australian states and nationally, selected years 1987 to 1998, (% of adults approving)
|
VIC |
SA |
NSW |
TAS |
QLD |
WA |
AUSTRALIA |
|
June |
December |
July |
August |
July |
May |
February |
|
1987 |
1987 |
1988 |
1989 |
1990 |
1993 |
1998 |
|
Approve unconditional increase in tax: (percentage) |
||||||
|
47 |
55 |
56 |
59 |
66 |
60 |
|
|
Approve tax increase funds being used to discourage children from smoking (percentage) |
||||||
|
84 |
82 |
88 |
89 |
92 |
88[74] |
96 |
Sources: Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria,279 Anti-Cancer Foundation of the University of South Australia,280 New South Wales Cancer Council,281 Tasmanian Cancer Committee282 Queensland Cancer Fund,283 Australian Medical Association,284 and Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria285
A more recent study in Victoria in 2003 found that, even among daily smokers, almost half (48%) would support an increase in taxes if the money were directed to quit smoking efforts.286 Of those who approved of a rise in cigarette tax, over half (51%) thought that the increases should be 50 cents or more per pack of 25 cigarettes—see Table 13.26.
Table 13.26
Daily smokers' views on how much the tax on cigarettes should be increased if the revenue raised were to go to quit-smoking resources, Victoria 2003, (% of smokers approving)
|
Response |
Daily smokers |
|
(n=215) % |
|
|
1 cent |
9.9 |
|
10 cents |
12.2 |
|
25 cents |
13.3 |
|
50 cents |
22.7 |
|
1 dollar |
18.0 |
|
2 dollars or more |
10.0 |
|
Another amount |
4.6 |
|
Don't know / Can't say |
9.3 |
Results of focus group research published by Carter and Chapman in 2006 indicated that Australian smokers are cynical about tax increases when revenue is not used for programs to discourage smoking. They fear that further increases without such investment will harm poorer smokers and encourage involvement of criminal gangs in the distribution of illicit tobacco products. Without such investment in programs, smokers feel that governments do not have the moral authority to further raise taxes.287
[74] In Western Australia the question concerned funding directed to health services.
[75] Data are weighted by age and sex to Victorian ABS 2003 figures. Figures do not sum to 100 due to weighting.
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