RISE IN PRICE OF CIGARETTES.

Taihape Daily Times, 13 September 1918, Page 5

RISE IN PRICE OF CIGARETTES.

The recent increase in the price of cigarettes has caused anything hut pleasure among smokers. They complain that the increased price is not warranted. Inquiries by a “New Zealand Times” reporter of some Wellington tobacconists bear this out. One tobacconist plainly stated that the rise was forced on the retail dealers, who are now making less on cigarettes at eightpence a packet than they did when they were sixpence a packet. “We are not making the profit, but someone else is,’ ’remarked the tobacconist significantly. It is stated that, had the Government only taxed cigarettes in the proper manner so that the country would get the benefit of the t increased price, cigarette smokers ■ would bear the burden willingly. They realise that smoking Is a luxury, but object to paying exorbitant prices for cigarettes when someone other than the struggling retailer is making all the profit. If only one penny on each packet of- cigarettes went to the Government there would be some satisfaction, and it would show a surprising figure in the revenue of the country at the end of the year.