The Chief Medical Officer last night said he backed a tax hike on cigarettes, if it was backed up by public education.

Dr. John Cann was speaking after the Budget announced a 2.5 cent increase from 15.5 cents to 18 cents per cigarette, to be considered a 'health tax'.

Explaining why it might help, Finance Minster Paula Cox said in her Budget: "Increasing the rate of duty and the resulting retail price of cigarettes may help to reduce the number of smokers in our community.

"If demand for cigarettes remains inelastic or impervious to price increases, then the public treasury will benefit."

According to Dr. Cann, smoking is one of the most preventable causes of many illnesses and he said he hoped the taxation would help decrease deaths.

He said: "There's no question that smoking is harmful and we know second-hand smoking is also harmful. Its impacts on heart disease, cancers and diabetes, the three lead factors for our people, is a big impact. If we reduce smoking, it could help with these health issues."

According to Dr. Cann, taxation has worked in some jurisdictions to counter smoking, but has been less successful in others.

He said where it has worked had been in places that combined health campaigns educating the public and price increases.

Jennifer Attride-Stirling, health promotion co-ordinator for the Department of Health, said the Budget announcement fitted in well with the drug and smoke-free lifestyles the department's Wellness programme promoted.

She said: "Smoking is one of the most preventable causes of disease. The tax increase is in line with our health promotion strategy and with the Ministry of Health's smoking ban in public places.

"It may not deter people alone. But if it is part of a bigger health campaign it could help as a deterrent."