Last gasp for smokes at the old prices

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Smokers are buying tobacco by the carton from dairies as retailers delay raising their prices.

Broderick Dairy in Johnsonville has had people rushing in to buy cigarettes since the Government announced a sudden tax rise on Wednesday.

Owner Ray Lala was selling tobacco at the old price yesterday, but that was due to change with new stock arriving this morning.

"It has been very busy, with people coming into buy a lot more smokes than they usually would," he said. "A couple of people have bought a carton each, which are worth about $120.

"In the past with price rises, I usually leave my prices the same for a couple of days, just for a bit of goodwill for the customers."

The substantial price rise has raised fears that it could lead to a spike in robberies. The tax increase now made tobacco a "valuable commodity", the Community Retailers Association warned.

"This puts responsible tobacconists like me at huge safety risks," spokesman Richard Green said. "The tax hike will make their premises more susceptible to burglaries at night."

The Convenience Store Association was also concerned that shops would be targeted.

"The reality is that tobacco is kept behind the front counter for a very good reason. It's one of the most expensive items that retailers must manage," chairman Roger Bull said.

Mr Lala said the chances of his dairy being robbed were "pretty bloody good". "Robberies will increase and there's bugger all that we can do about it. If someone wants to rob my place, then they will. It's a scary thought, but what can you do? This is my livelihood so I can't just quit."

His store had an alarm and CCTV but he did not think it would stop a robbery.

BUSIEST DAY FOR QUITLINE WITH 636 CALLS

Call-centre operators at Quitline have had their busiest day yet.

Operators on the dayshift answered 636 calls from 8am to 4.30pm yesterday.

The previous busiest day at the Health Ministry-funded service, in 2008, saw operators handle 463 calls.

Quitline's Carl Billington said the centre was so busy that the 29 operators on duty were taking only initial contact details of the callers.

"We'll call them back later for detailed assessments when we've got more time," he said.

The Health Ministry spent $9.8 million on Quitline for the financial year to June 30, 2009.

Quitline has been promised more from its political masters after this week's increased tobacco tax announcement.

But Mr Billington said Quitline executives would have to wait for the Budget to find out exactly how much more money would be allocated to the service.

WHY IS IT HARD TO QUIT?

When a person inhales cigarette smoke, the nicotine in the smoke is rapidly absorbed into the blood and starts affecting the brain within seven seconds.

It activates the same reward system as do other drugs of abuse, such as cocaine or amphetamine.

Evidence clearly shows nicotine as a powerful addiction, comparable to heroin, cocaine or alcohol.

Withdrawal symptoms include tiredness, reduced concentration, coughing as your lungs start eliminating the poisons, crankiness, runny nose, sore throat, headaches and lightheadedness.

It takes, on average, six attempts to break the habit for good.

- © Fairfax NZ News