ACT leader David Seymour has called out the Government’s tobacco taxes, labelling them “blood money” – and warning they will lead to someone dying.
Mr Seymour says tax increases on tobacco have made cigarettes a target for thieves, and dairy owners are paying the price.
“In 2016, the National Government put in place a punitive series of four annual tobacco tax increases. These tax increases are driving violent crimes,” says ACT Leader David Seymour.
“After two violent dairy robberies in the past week, it is only a matter of time before someone is killed, and both Labour and National will be responsible.”
On Sunday, more than 50 small business owners gathered in Hamilton to find a solution.
The Government received a total of $1.7 billion in duty on tobacco sales in 2016 from the big three producers – British American Tobacco, Imperial…
