September 1 saw the tobacco excise rise by 12.5 per cent. Annual tax increases will rise even further from 2017, expected to push the price of a packet of 25 cigarettes to almost $40 by 2020.

Quit Tasmania director Abby Smith said increasing the price of cigarettes was the most effective way for governments to reduce smoking rates.

“The 25 per cent tax increase introduced in 2010 resulted in an 11 per cent fall in tobacco consumption,” she said.

“It is estimated that the proposed increases from 2017 to 2020 will prompt 320,000 Australians to quit smoking. 

“Unfortunately, Tasmania still has the second highest smoking rate in Australia with about 1 in 5 Tasmanians who smoke (19 per cent). Any initiative that helps reduce smoking is good for the health of all Tasmanians.”

Quit Tasmania has used the cigarette price hike to encourage people to kick the habit. “If you smoke a pack-a-day, quitting today can save more than $8000 a year, which could be used towards a holiday or whatever else you want to spend it on,” Ms Smith said.