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B.C. Budget 2014: Smokers hit with tax; money earmarked for cancer research

B.C. smokers got a tongue lashing from the province's finance minister today in addition to a $0.72 increase on a pack of smokes.
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B.C. budget 2014, Canadian Cancer Society, Mike de Jong, B.C. Budget 2014: Smokers hit with tax; money earmarked for cancer research

B.C. smokers got a tongue lashing from the province's finance minister today in addition to a $0.72 increase on a pack of smokes.

B.C. Finance Minister Mike de Jong announced the province is slapping a $0.32 tax increase on a pack of cigarettes on top of last week’s $0.40 tax hike in the federal budget. With the combined taxes a carton will jump to approximately $58.80

“For smokers who continue to utilize a product that science, medical officials and common sense tell us will adversely affect their health — and add to health-care costs — I have some bad news,” de Jong said. “The price of cigarettes is going up.”

The B.C. and Yukon branch of the Canadian Cancer Society applauds the move, saying youth are especially price-sensitive.

“We know about half of all cancers can be prevented and meaningful steps, like increasing tobacco taxes, can have a tremendous impact in saving lives,” said Kathryn Seely of the B.C. branch.

The costs upon individuals and families and upon the Health Ministry and health-care system associated with smoking are incredible,” de Jong said.

The increase will net the province approximately another $50 million.

We are going to take a significant portion of that revenue and very deliberately enter into a partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society and other research agencies to reinforce B.C.’s position as a world leader in cancer research and cancer prevention, including smoking cessation.

The province estimates that substantive amount will be in the 50% to 70% range. How much of that money will go to research versus prevention and what organizations, such as the Canadian Cancer Society, and what programs will benefit will be determined in coming months.

A broad range of stakeholders will be brought together to consult on the necessary expenditures but the government says it will be looking for value for money and maintaining its lead in areas of prevention and treatment, including “the lowest smoking rate in Canada, at 14.%,” de Jong said.

In 2013 in B.C. there were 23,700 new cancer cases diagnosed. The society predicts a 70% increase in cancers in the next 20 years unless something is done differently, Seely said.

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