The price of tobacco products have doubled since 2008, with 69 percent of the price you pay being tax.

Despite smokers being bludgeoned with annual price increases, there has been no significant fall in Australian smoking rates.

Adult smoking rates increased in New South Wales from 13.5% to 15.1% between 2015 and 2016, and national cigarette consumption rose in 2017 for the first time in a decade.

Clearly, the excessive taxation of smokers is no longer due to health concerns. This is revenue raising: as more smokers quit, taxes are increased to compensate for the loss.

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