Cigarette prices soar

[Davey]

I am so glad that I stopped smoking 4 years ago, when the price of a pack was still 300yen.

An increase in the tobacco tax pushed cigarette prices up Friday by a record-high 60 yen to 140 yen per 20-cigarette pack, as tobacco shops worried about a drop in business and many smokers vowed to kick the habit.

The smoking rate in Japan in 2008 was 36.8 percent for men and 9.1 percent for women. To help bring these numbers down, the health ministry has proposed another tobacco tax increase as part of tax system reform for fiscal 2011, stating that tobacco prices in this country are still low compared to other advanced nations.

According to a survey conducted on 316 smokers by pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson K.K. before the hike, about 60 percent said they would quit. Of these, 58 percent cited financial reasons.

The price of Mild Seven, the most popular brand sold by Japan Tobacco Inc., rose from 300 yen to 410 yen per pack. A pack of Marlboro from Philip Morris Japan K.K. went from 320 yen to 440 yen.

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There are countries where cigarettes are more expensive, but I do think it's a start to decrease the amount of smokers. And to collect tax...

But then maybe they should also increase the price of alcohol.

 

[Mike Cash]

Government will never make do with reduced revenue. If the net result is a drop in cigarette tax revenue you may be sure the difference will be made up by taxing something else more.

 

[let`s talk]

But then maybe they should also increase the price of alcohol.

Probably. But I read somewhere that alcohol has some positive points on human health, while tobacco is a pure poison. Btw, I don't smoke. But I don't mind champagne and Rose d'Anjou. Some people can say I am not objective.

 

[nice gaijin]

Something tells me the tax on alcohol and tobacco products are not in proportion to their effects on peoples' health.

When I was in China, I met a chain smoking British guy who went through a couple packs a day, but was only paying about 2RMB (25 yen) per pack.

 

[ArmandV]

Even with the new taxes, cigarettes are still cheaper in Japan than in the U.S.

 

[Hezam]

The prices encreased 200 percent here in 2009.
I don't smoke so it doesn't effect me.

it's great of you DB to stop smoking,It's very hard to stop smoking as my best friend said,he stopped smoking for 3 years after i insisted on him to stop but one year ago he started smoking again.

 

[ArmandV]

The Japanese are now experiencing the "joys" of "nanny government." Mike is right, if the revenue from the new tax causes a net drop, they will surely tax something else. Maybe the Japanese should start their own tea party before things really start getting out of hand.

 

[Chidoriashi]

I for one welcome the new tax. But then again I would welcome anything that will help get rid of this surprisingly ignored public health issue/nuisance.

 

[JimmySeal]

Maybe the Japanese should start their own tea party before things really start getting out of hand.

Yeah, that's exactly what Japan needs.