7.10 Public attitudes

A study by the University of Melbourne in 1985 examined public attitudes towards government taxes and expenditures.(82) Attitudes towards a variety of taxes, including tobacco taxes, were canvassed. The only tax in which a majority (51.8%) would support an increase was tax on tobacco products. Tobacco taxes were selected for increases over income tax, property taxes, taxes on motor vehicles, sales tax, company tax, import duties, and taxes on alcohol.

Six statewide polls seeking public opinion about support for tobacco tax increases have been undertaken since 1987. Key findings are summarised in Table 7.12 below. In general, the surveys have shown broad support for increased tobacco taxes, especially if revenue from the tax increases is used for health education among children. (Most of these surveys also examined public attitudes towards tobacco advertising and sponsorship -- see Chapter 15, Section 15).

Table 7.12: Public opinion on tobacco tax increases in six Australian states and nationally
VIC	SA	NSW	TAS	QLD	WA	AUSTRALIA
June	December	July	August	July	May	February
1987	1987	1988	1989	1990	1993	1998
Approve unconditional increase in tax: (percentage)
47	55	56	59	66	60
Approve tax increase funds being used to discourage children from smoking (percentage)
84	82	88	89	92	88 Ý	96
Ý The question in Western Australia asked if a tax increase would be approved of if the funds were directed to health services. Source: Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria 83 Anti-Cancer Foundation of the University of South Australia 84 New South Wales Cancer Council 85 Tasmanian Cancer Committee 86 Queensland Cancer Fund 87 Australian Medical Association 88, Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria 89