Abstract
This Briefing details our just published study on the economics of Aotearoa NZ’s smokefree endgame policy package (ie, the smokefree law that the new coalition government plans to repeal). In addition to immense health gains identified previously, the new study found that the policies would generate considerable growth in income for NZ citizens with a total cumulative gain of US$31 billion ($NZ46 billion) by 2050. From a government revenue perspective, increased superannuation payments (due to longer lifespans) and reduced tobacco excise tax revenue (due to people quitting smoking) produce a net financial shortfall for the government of US$11.5 billion ($NZ17 billion) by 2050. But fortunately, the government has a wide range of options for addressing such revenue shortfalls that are far more appropriate than perversely relying on tobacco tax. Given both the major health and economic gains to NZ citizens from this smokefree law – it should be favoured by an evidence-informed government.