SMOKERS' DELIGHT

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 137, 8 December 1930, Page 17

SMOKERS' DELIGHT

TOBACCO WAE IN SYDNEY

The increase in the tobacco duties and excise has created a peculiar position in the- tobacconist's business, in which a determined price Avar has broken out after weeks of minor skirmishes, says the Sydney "Sun." Whether the higher costs resulting from the new duties will put an end to the war or only intensify it remains to be seen, but whichever way it goes, it seems that the small retailer, including many returned soldiers in kiosks, will fall by the wayside. Just who started the war is. difficult to determine, for the largo retailers place the blame on the kiosks and small men, who, in turn, hold the bigger sellers responsible. The cut charges, which most of the big department stores in the city and the railway refreshment room stalls are at present quoting, amount to a reduction in many cases of 3d in prices of tins of 20 cigarettes and 3d on 2oz tins of the better-known brands of tobacco. Well known cigarettes are- selling at scl, instead, of 6d, a small packet, and lOd instead of Is for large packets, while others, usually retailed at Is and Is 6d a tin, are offering at lOd and Is 3d. Other popular brands, which formerly sold at 9d and Is Gd, are selling at Sd and Is 3d. One-ounce tins of popular brands of tobacco have been reduced from IOJd to 9d, and 2oz tins of some brands have been cut from Is 9d to Is u'd. "The announcement of the new imposts has thrown tho trade into chaos," said one tobacconist. "Wo do not know where wo stand. The new duties might only increase the competition.'"