Quit Smoking for a PST Tax Credit?

Posted on July 31, 2007
Filed Under Government |

Ontario is trying to help smokers quit by providing all residents a PST (Provincial Sales Tax) break on smoking cessation aids in two weeks. Beginning August 14, those who wish to quit smoking won’t have to pay the 8 percent sales tax on nicotine replacement therapy products (patches, gums, inhalers, pills…). The credit will be given at point of sale, as per Health Promotions Minister, Jim Watson.

Congratulations to Ontario for taking such a bold step - NOT. Sure we will save $5-million a year, but is that really an incentive for smokers to quit? If the financial costs of smoking itself (about $10 a pack) isn’t enough of an incentive to quit, what makes Mr. Watson believe that cutting costs on therapy products will help? What we can do, is take that $5-million every year and use it to continuously educate the public of the harmful effects of smoking - a proven strategy.

An average of 16,000 people in Ontario die each year from smoking; tobacco-related diseases cost the health care system about $1.6 billion/year.

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