Australia: Failure to Publish Tobacco Tax Figures May Hamper Anti-Smoking Campaign

Source from:  Top News  06/09/2013

As per reports, latest figures revealed by the Tax Office didn't publish figures on tobacco tax in order to stick to privacy regulations. However, it has emerged that the step may hamper monitoring of the cigarette consumption in Australia.

Fears are arising that the campaign launched against smoking will suffer a setback in wake of failure to publish the specific tobacco excise information. Simon Chapman, the Sydney University Professor of Public Health, said it will make it difficult for them to assess the important policy and program impacts.

He averred the corporate privacy was not a valid reason to hide the important information regarding public health. Last week, Treasurer Wayne Swan said that he would reveal the tax excise information about tobacco; however, he was prevented from doing so in wake of some legal provisions.

On the other hand, Fairfax Media said the decision to not to publish the figures was to protect the taxpayer confidentiality as there are only two major tobacco manufacturers left in Australia now, namely British American Tobacco and Philip Morris.

"I will use this World No Tobacco Day award to step up my fight to ensure the Government does all it can to protect our citizens from the harms of tobacco", said Bristol West MP Stephen Williams. Enditem