Workers who have saved to invest in shares and property will face higher taxes on their assets, the Government confirmed. The Queen’s Speech ended hopes of a climb-down on tax rises for the middle classes, with an unqualified commitment to increase capital gains tax. It also set out plans to raise taxes on the pay of those earning more than £45,000 and paved the way for bringing forward an increase in the retirement age. As part of the c ... Jump to full article >>

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Despite the government’s efforts, people keep smoking – so what does our eagerness to make them suffer say about us? Andy Burnham has set himself the almighty challenge of halving the number of smokers, from a fifth of the population to a tenth. The hope is that this is like any other target – that with sufficient political will and enough public sector workers given the responsibility to turn the dream into a reality, anything can be a ... Jump to full article >>

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The decision to not legalise smokeless tobacco has been labelled as “arrogant” by a former Conservative minister. During Commons health questions, Christopher Chope (Con, Christchurch) said that through introducing the use of a smokeless tobacco snus, 30,000 lives could be saved each year. He stated: “Don’t you realise that based on the Swedish experience, if snus was legalised in the UK, it would save up to 30,000 lives ... Jump to full article >>

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SOME TOBACCO companies have pulled another one on the federal government. By relabeling their product, the companies are avoiding a punitive tax placed on rollyour-own tobacco products. Congress and the Obama administration raised taxes on tobacco products earlier this year, with taxes on tobacco for roll-your-own cigarettes skyrocketing from $1.10 per pound to $24.78 per pound. That’s more than a 2,000-percent jump. Ostensibly, the tobacco tax ... Jump to full article >>

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More than 60,000 illicit cigarettes and almost 160 kilos of tobacco, including a haul concealed in boxing punch bags – have been seized in south Wales. This week as HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) continues its crack down on those who smuggle and sell non duty paid tobacco products. The punch bags, containing 53 kilos of loose tobacco, were seized at a Newport distribution centre before they could be delivered to a house in Cardiff. Officers vi ... Jump to full article >>

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Aufzählung Doctor warns of ‘health time bomb’ developments. Aufzählung Fresh call made for prevention campaign. Vienna. Austria has the highest percentage of 15-year-old smokers, 25 per cent, in Europe, according to a Vienna doctor. Manfred Neuberger, the head of the preventive-medicine division at Vienna Medical University, added the number of Austrian youth who smoked had been steadily increasing since 1997 and that 145,891 Austrians ag ... Jump to full article >>

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