Health ministry considers hiking tobacco tax by 10 yen per cigarette

Friday 30th October, 07:01 AM JST

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Latest 15 of 21 Total Comments Show All

mrsynik at 09:25 AM JST - 30th October

Even at that price its still cheaper than most other developed countries to smoke. Only South Korea is cheaper AFAIK.
DickMorris at 10:51 AM JST - 30th October

Ban the wicked smoke sticks of death. They are immoral, cause suffering to the user and the family and lead to the use of harder drugs.

Hopefully if this price increase happens, smoking will decline sharply, it a habit for the weak.
betterdays at 11:44 AM JST - 30th October

The new hike would funnel an additional 440 billion yen into the national coffers in the initial year.

Counting our chicks before they hatch arent we?? What if we quit smoking
knackerz at 11:56 AM JST - 30th October

Although I smoke, I support this move, when I'm back home, I smoke a lot less due to the cost. I think the price will help a lot of people either quit or reduce how much they smoke.
AirBetweenTeeth at 01:59 PM JST - 30th October

DickMorris: They are immoral, cause suffering to the user and the family and lead to the use of harder drugs.

That is just priceless.
kirakira25 at 02:48 PM JST - 30th October

Excellent idea - although I am biased because I don`t smoke.

But I wonder if it is possible to calculate the possible decline in cigarette sales due to the tax increase leading to less demand, and the potential effect that might have on revenue?

(sorry - studying financial decision making at the moment and just can`t help myself!)
Infernus at 03:45 PM JST - 30th October

I think its good, smoking isn't necessary to someones survival (quite the opposite really) and people that continue the habit will fund the country and others might be led to quit improving their health. Its win-win-win.
usaexpat at 12:23 AM JST - 31st October

They will find as many states in the US have that people quit or buy cigarettes illegally so they will never realise the revenue.
Patrick Smash at 01:14 AM JST - 31st October

Ministry of Finance versus Ministry of Health. I know who I am backing...
cadmium at 08:19 AM JST - 31st October

Good point usaexpat, it's a well-known economic principle that when you change the price of goods the consumers economize. I'm not sure if there's a black market for tobacco in Japan though.
JpMoonkey at 08:58 PM JST - 31st October

500 yen for a pack? I smoke about 10 packs a week. Oh Gosh! I'll need another job to cover the expense- Or I'll have to enter Bangkok Hilton/ Japan's Hilton, which would prevent me from my hobby/habit.
usaexpat at 06:33 AM JST - 1st November

cadmium: Not sure if there is yet but if Europe and the US are indicators there will be a black market if the prices get too high. The Russian mafia makes much more on cigarettes (smuggled to Western Europe) than they do on drugs.
noborito at 06:08 PM JST - 1st November

10 yen you cares. Let's say 10 yen per cigarette.
presto345 at 07:31 PM JST - 1st November

Not sure if there is yet but if Europe and the US are indicators there will be a black market if the prices get too high.

Crossing borders in the EU and the US is easy. Japan is a different story.
LHommeQuiMent at 12:26 AM JST - 2nd November

What if we quit smoking

Well, good news is that only 3 to 5% of smokers can quit the habit by themselves. Although weak, nicotine is a highly addictive psychoactive drug.

It seems like smoking cessation market has a bright future.