新西兰英语 604 Smokers help the economy

 　　The cost of cigarettes has increased by 40% since 2010. The cost will increase by $1 a year for the next four years to $20 a packet of 20 cigarettes. Will this make smokers¹ quit smoking? Probably not, says a Treasury² report, because smoking is addictive³. The report also said that smokers help the economy. The sales tax on cigarettes from New Zealand-grown tobacco brought in $145m to the government in the 9 months to the end of March. The import duty on imported cigarettes brought in $746m for the same period.

　　However, smokers get sick and hospital care costs the government. A study done by the University of Otago in 2007 said that the actual cost to the Ministry⁴ of Health from illnesses caused by smoking was $300m to $350m a year. Also, the Treasury report said that smokers die early so there is a saving from National Superannuation and old-age health care.

　　However, Tariana Turia, co-leader of the Maori Party, wanted to increase the cost of a packet of cigarettes to $100 by 2025. She wants Maori to give up smoking and New Zealand to be a smoke-free country.

　　Vocabulary

　　Treasury – advises the government on budgets and other financial matters

　　Grammar

　　Note the preposition: increased by 40%; increased to $20

　　If a packet of cigarettes cost $16 and was increased by $20, how much would it then cost?

　　Questions

　　Is alcohol addictive? Would drinkers reduce the amount of alcohol they buy if the cost increased?

　　Do you think the increased cost of cigarettes will encourage smokers to quit?

　　Could New Zealand become a smoke-free country in the future?

1 smokers   

吸烟者( smoker的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Many smokers who are chemically addicted to nicotine cannot cut down easily. 许多有尼古丁瘾的抽烟人不容易把烟戒掉。
• Chain smokers don't care about the dangers of smoking. 烟鬼似乎不在乎吸烟带来的种种危害。

2 treasury   

n.宝库；国库，金库；文库

参考例句：

• The Treasury was opposed in principle to the proposals.财政部原则上反对这些提案。
• This book is a treasury of useful information.这本书是有价值的信息宝库。

3 addictive   

adj.(吸毒等)使成瘾的，成为习惯的

参考例句：

• The problem with video game is that they're addictive.电子游戏机的问题在于它们会使人上瘾。
• Cigarettes are highly addictive.香烟很容易使人上瘾。

4 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。