This is how much food you can get for the cost of a pack of cigarettes in Australia.
Beginning in September, a 25-pack of Marlboro Golds will cost AUD48.50 ($34), one of the highest prices in the world for a pack of cigarettes. The cheapest pack will be about AUD29 ($20).
This will be the eighth consecutive price increase as a part of the government’s attempt to reduce tobacco use.
Critics say the price increase will stimulate the black market and punish those who are addicted to nicotine. A pack-a-day smoker will spend more than AUD10,000 a year on average following the hike. RYO smokers will see a similar increase in the price of loose tobacco.
This is what cigarette boxes look like in Australia:
