I am shocked that cigarette prices have been increased due to the goods and services tax (GST). To me this is absurd and ridiculous. Firstly, only just a few months ago the cost of cigarettes was increased, and now there’s a further increase due to GST.

Is the GST being abused for some reason or another? Who is the abuser, may I know? As it is the cost of cigarettes is priced way too high, with the extremely high taxes imposed both on cigarettes and liquor.

Let me tell you this. My health is my problem and not anyone else’s. If cigarettes give me some pleasure then that is my business but don’t sit there and capitalise on my likes. It is disgusting. With the already huge taxes imposed on cigarettes, then why impose additional taxes on the same article?

Cigarette companies are paying import duties on cigarettes. They are paying income taxes to the government from their profits. Even employees at cigarette companies are paying income taxes. I personally am a taxpayer. Packaging materials, tobacco, etc also incur import duties. Collecting taxes has its own limits and not based on who wants what. This should be stopped and reverted immediately.

Will I ever want to vote for this government again? No, as long as good sense does not prevail. It has come to a point where taxes on both cigarettes and liquor have become excessive , vulgar and I call it deceptive. No wonder there is a lot of smuggling and contraband cigarettes and liquor in the market.