NZ First leader Winston Peters said the tobacco tax increases were an attack on workers. Smokers were in line for even steeper tobacco tax increases in the Budget if the Ministry of Health's proposal for 12.5 per cent increases had not been rejected by ministers. The Budget 2016 tax hikes increases follow earlier annual 10 per cent increases over the past six years. Anti smoking groups such as Aspire 2025 have called for 20 per cent annual increases. It had wanted an immediate Budget night increase followed by a further four annual increases of 12.5 per cent from January next year.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 14, 2016 06:11 UTC