Australia: ACCC Warns Shopkeepers over Cigarette Tax Rip-offs

Source from:  Melbourne (Vic) Herald Sun (au)  02/05/2013

THE ACCC has warned shopkeepers not to blame taxes for a sharp increase in cigarette prices.

The Federal Government last week increased the tax on cigarettes by between 11c and 28c a packet.

But smokers contacted the Herald Sun to report that prices had risen by as much as $2.40 a pack.

The ACCC confirmed it had received complaints. It said businesses were free to set their own prices, but they must not blame the excise changes.

Assistant Treasurer David Bradbury's office said if a consumer believed a business was falsely linking a price rise with excise change, they should report it to the ACCC hotline on 1300 302 502. Enditem