SYDNEY, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Smoking rates are higher among disadvantaged households, placing added strain on their household finances, a new study by the University of Queensland (UQ) said on Thursday.

The study, published in Tobacco Control journal, finds that disadvantaged households are allocating 6.3 percent of their disposable income, compared to just 2.7 percent in the most affluent areas.

While tobacco tax hikes have helped reduce overall smoking rates, they've also intensified financial strain for those who continue to smoke, often in lower-income communities where smoking prevalence remains high, said one of the authors Coral Gartner from UQ's School of Public Health.

Gartner highlighted the significance of reducing smoking among households in lower-income areas due to the enormous health and financial toll.

For people who continue to smoke, the increased financial burden of tobacco products reduces spending on essentials like food, health care, and education.

The study examined household tobacco expenditure between 2006 and 2022, a period marked by major tax increases. Among those still buying tobacco, annual spending jumped by over 1,000 Australian dollars to 4,931.7 Australian dollars.

To meet Australia's target of reducing smoking prevalence to under 5 percent by 2030, Gartner called for broader policy measures including free cessation support, regulation of tobacco retail density, removal of tobacco from general retail outlets, and pharmaceutical-style regulation of nicotine products. Enditem

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