Anti-smoking charity calls for 5% rise in tobacco tax

AN ANTI-SMOKING charity has called for a 5 per cent increase on tobacco tax, saying it would lead to a drop in the number of smokers and save millions in health costs.

A tax increase would discourage children from buying cigarettes and help adults quit the habit, according to a new report released by Action on Smoking and Health (Ash).

Raising tobacco prices would lead to a reduction in the number of smokers by 190,000, the report says.