The Australian Greens said today more needed to be done to tackle smoking particularly for young people, lower income groups and Aboriginal people.

"The Greens would be likely to support a significant increase in the price of cigarettes if funds raised by the increase were spent on prevention measures" said Senator Rachel Siewert, the Greens health spokesperson.

"We know price is the single most effective measure to address smoking, followed by well-run, well-funded, sustained public education programs.

"Australia therefore needs to be investing in good public education programs targeting key groups. The evidence shows that combined measures of price and effective public education programs are the best mechanisms to reduce smoking in the key groups.

"Australia is one of the lower tobacco-taxing countries in the OECD and there hasn't been an increase beyond CPI in 10 years, it is time to address this. We believe there will be strong public support for a price increase particularly if this money is spent on preventive health measures" concluded Senator Siewert.

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