TV1 News 6pm Bulletin (First Segment)

Cigarette Price Risex2 - A Tax Rise - Mental Health Tragedy - Transrail Death - Kiwiana Queen Dies

CIGARETTE PRICE RISE: The Government under pressure to help smokers after Parliament put up cigarettes by $1 early this morning. Beneficiaries make up a high proportion of people who smoke and are affected more by the price rise. The Government is expected to gather up to a NZ$1 billion in total revenue with the added tax.

CIGARETTE PRICE RISE: The National Heart Foundation has applauded the increase saying the price rise will ensure around 1000 less smokers will start this year. However the Ministry of Customs is concerned that the rise in prices may cause a rising black market in tobacco.

A TAX RISE: The move is also questioned by National and other opposition parties as another rise in taxes. Labour had promised at election time that it would not raise taxes after the rise in income tax.

MENTAL HEALTH TRAGEDY: There has been an apology to Waitemata Health to two families after a mental health patient and his friend were found dead in their house. The Health Authority admitted it did not do enough with a community support team to help the at risk man.

TRANSRAIL DEATH: There has been a second Transrail death in recent weeks, an employee was killed by a shunting train - five have died so far this year. Meanwhile unions want an inquiry into work practices at Transrail.

KIWIANA QUEEN DIES: The queen of kiwiana whose paua house put Bluff on the international tourist map lost her long battle today with cancer.

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