 A survey by the National Statistics Bureau shows that the country's revenue from tobacco taxes increased to 290 billion Yuan in 2006, which equals the cost of smoking-related diseases. A member of the national political consultative conference has proposed that a hike in the price of tobacco will help to control smoking in the country.
People instantly reacted from both sides of the proposal, let's take a look at what they said in the media.
The Dahe newspaper carried a negative commentary arguing against the price lift, saying that this type of approach will probably do nothing except make more tax revenue for the government. It won't influence the rich people who usually buy high-priced tobacco products and most poor people won't give up smoking just because of a slightly higher price. On the contrary, they will turn to cheaper, lower-quality tobacco. As a result, they will be at a higher risk of disease which will create even higher expenditures on health.
An opinion piece in the Modern Express suggests that the key to controlling smoking lies in regulations not in the price of tobacco. Because of the lack of an efficient and universal smoking ban in the country, the tobacco interest groups have been able to resist further controls. From another prospective, many areas intentionally protect the tobacco industry because of its financial benefits. Smoking bans should be made with consideration to the above factors.
An article in the Qilu Evening News advises that smoking controls should not merely discourage smoking, but should also work to reduce the production of tobacco. Tobacco purchases are fueled by the products addictive nature and although a price increase will prevent some consumers from smoking in the short term the total consumption of tobacco will probably not drop in the long term.
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