Is tax increase an effective way to discourage teenage smokers?

Assignment 7

Is tax increase an effective way to
discourage teenage smokers?

 

Yes, tax increase is an effective way to discourage teenage smokers.

 

“Tax increase to cigarettes” is definitely an effective preventive measure against the youngsters taking cigarettes in HK.  The young generations should be discouraged to take cigarettes for their own well-beings.  Moreover, tax increased cigarettes set a sample for the teenage smokers to void for terrible burden.

Smoking is harmful to our health.  There is a slogan “Smoking is hazardous to your health” printed on each packet of cigarettes which means the HKSAR Government is determined to discourage the citizens from taking cigarettes.  It certainly includes the teenage smokers.  In fact, the HKSAR Government has launched very high tax on cigarettes which result in the cigarettes’ prices rising significantly.  For example, purchase price HK$13 (without tax) for a packet of cigarettes has reached HK$55 (with tax).  Ultimately, many HK teenage smokers have quit smoking because of the economical reason.

 Smoking in official functions has an unfavorable appearance, especially the girls and women.  Smoking hinders their health growth up.  Smoking is extremely dangerous to the females who are pregnant.  In fact, smoking may lead the babies to die in the uterus.  Because of this stressful reason, many pregnant teenage smokers will wisely quit smoking.  This action relatively helps them.  They will be released from the tax increased cigarettes.  You know, cigarettes are luxury items, too.  Congratulations to those who have changed their mind.  They lead a hopeful life.

 

HKSAR government has launched the campaign of ‘No Smoking in Public Areas’ for many years.  This regulation sets upon parks, corridors, bus-terminus, restaurants, train stations, peak-tram areas, offices, hospitals, clinics, secondary and primary schools ….etc.    Fines will be executed if anyone breaks the law.  In fact, there are many law enforcement actions being carried out in recent years.  Since the non-smoking areas are so limited in number, many teenage smokers find it inconvenient to take cigarettes.  They have to find a right place, a far-away spot to take it.  Gradually they are tired of finding these locations.  In addition, they may think that the tax increased cigarettes are too expensive.  With these un-enjoyable reasons, they stop smoking.

 High price in cigarettes also helps the parents.  Once they know their children are taking cigarettes, pocket money will be decreased.  Since the tax increased cigarettes are so unaffordable, they will escape themselves from taking cigarettes.

Tax increase on cigarettes is certainly a good regulation for the teenage smokers.  So, HKSAR government has been encouraged to enforce it forever.

 
Thank you.
 

Mary

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