A chara, – I fear John Mallon is in error (June 8th), or at least gives the erroneous impression that he equates a fall in tobacco smoking with a rise in smuggling. A rise in tobacco prices may possibly lead to a rise in smuggling (and thence a fall in cigarette-related revenue). Or it may not – I am unaware that this has been objectively demonstrated, and even if this were the case, it does not follow that tax cuts are the only way to tackle smuggling.
In any case, a fall in absolute tobacco consumption has nothing whatsoever to do with smuggling, as the Tobacco Control Survey does not distinguish between smokers of smuggled and legitimate cigarettes.
Reducing the number of smokers is an ongoing challenge for all stakeholders in public health. Increased cigarette prices – in conjunction with other, evidence-based interventions – are an important tool in the fight against tobacco and its attendant ill-health effects. – Is mise,
Dr HUGH ADLER,
Durban,South Africa.