Smokers will pay AUD 1.52 (EUR 0.97) more for a pack of 25 cigarettes from 1 Sept as the next in a series of yearly hikes in the national tobacco excise duty takes effect, according to The Morning Bulletin in Queensland.

The increase is the third of four 12.5 per cent tobacco tax increases begun in 2013. Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Katie Clift said raising the tax on tobacco has been proven to be the most effective way to cut smoking rates, The Bulletin reported.