Reducing Cigarette Smoking In NZ

The New Zealand government is reducing smoking by increasing tax on cigarettes. It seems that every 10% increase in excise, cigarette smoking declines 5%. Hmmm. Let me get this right. The tax increase adds money to sorely depleted government coffers. So how does it all stack up?


The smoker has to pay more for this unhealthy habit, in most cases cutting back on other things to continue.

The tobacco companies will lose 5% of their turn over. They will breathe a sigh of relief it is not more.

The government estimates with future increases, revenue will rise from $1.2 billion a year to $1.7 billion by 2016.

Had the price gone up by 20 or 30%, the shock would have had greater effect in stopping more people. As someone noticed "If you have a big hit, it's difficult for the tobacco industry to cut that. With smaller ones, they can adjust their prices and smooth the effect of an increase. With a big hit, they have less ability to do that."

NZ is struggling to balance its books financially. The good news is that this increase will help achieve that goal. The bad news is the government is even more reliant on tobacco excise. That may be the reason there is only a 10% increase, not one much higher.

In summary, it's not just the smoker then that is hooked on tobacco.

You Have To Make Time To Pray

I got up early one morning
and rushed right into the day
I had so much to accomplish
that I didn't have time to pray

Problems just tumbled about me
and heavier came each task
'Why doesn't God help me?' I wondered
He answered, 'You didn't ask'

I wanted to see joy and beauty
but the day toiled on gray and bleak
I wondered why God didn't show me
He said, 'But you didn't seek'

I tried to come into God's presence
I used all my keys at the lock
God gently and lovingly chided
'My servant, you didn't knock'

I woke up early this morning
and paused before entering the day
I had so much to accomplish
that I had to take time to pray

My Satnav

I have a little Satnav
It sits there in my car
A Satnav is a driver's friend
It tells you where you are

I have a little Satnav
I've had it all my life
It does more than the normal one
My Satnav is my wife

It gives me full instructions
On exactly how to drive
"It's thirty miles an hour" it says
"And you're doing thirty five"

It tells me when to stop and start
And when to use the brake
And tells me that it's never ever
Safe to overtake

It tells me when a light is red
And when it goes to green
It seems to know instinctively
Just when to intervene

It lists the vehicles just in front
It lists those to the rear
And taking this into account
It specifies my gear

I'm sure no other driver
Has so helpful a device
For when we leave and lock the car
It still gives its advice