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在线翻译:
szdaily -> In depth -> 
Tax hikes assist anti-smoking campaign
    2015-06-02  08:53    Shenzhen Daily

    CHINA hiked its cigarette tax early in May, pushing up retail prices. Though the effort has yet to demonstrate any deterring effects on smokers, it is conducive to the country’s anti-smoking efforts in the long run, experts have said.

    On May 10, China raised the wholesale tax rate for cigarettes to 11 percent from 5 percent. Cigarette wholesalers must also pay an additional 0.005 yuan (US$0.0008) per cigarette sold.

    According to the Price Bureau of Jiangsu Province, the wholesale price of cigarettes there has increased by 6 percent on average.

    Data from local price monitoring departments across the country show that the tax rise has largely been passed on to consumers. Cigarettes priced under 20 yuan per package have seen a price hike of between 0.5 and 1 yuan. Those priced above 20 yuan have generally been subject to a price rise of around 2 yuan per package.

    Since the launch of the cigarette taxation system in 1994, China has adjusted the tax rate in 1998, 2001 and 2009. Industry insiders speculate that this is the first time taxes have been raised as part of the country’s anti-smoking efforts.

    According to the WHO, when the price of tobacco products rises by 10 percent, the number of adults who quit smoking grows by 3.7 percent, and the rate for adolescents is 9.3 percent.

    However, for many young smokers in China, the price increase seems to have made little impact on their smoking habits.

    Ah Xiu, a sophomore at Yunnan Arts University, said he usually spends about 300 yuan on tobacco every month.

    “I am used to smoking two brands at the same time: an ‘ordinary’ one that is 10 yuan per package and a ‘good’ one that is 22 yuan per package,” he said. “Now prices for both brands have grown by 1 yuan per package, which means that I will spend another 30 yuan every month. Well, that’s no big deal,” he said.

    Xiao Ding, a university senior in Shanghai, has been smoking for four years. “Even if prices do rise a lot, I may just turn to a cheaper brand.” He said neither he nor his friends who smoke intended to quit despite the price change.

    Yang Gonghuan, a former deputy head of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said the large price gaps between different brands posed an obstacle to tobacco control since cheap cigarettes have seen only minimal price hikes and remain affordable for even the poorest consumers.

    (Xinhua)

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