Price hikes, crime fad or political football? What caused a spike in store robberies for cigarettes in New Zealand: Analysis of news reports (2009-2018)

What is it about?

Robberies of community stores for tobacco spiked in New Zealand during 2016-2017. This paper considers possible causes including very high taxing of tobacco. Alternative theories are considered. For example, did heightened and alarming reporting spark a crime fad? Did the tobacco-related robberies become political campaign fodder for politicians in opposition. Whatever the reason, the impact on the affected communities needs to be factored in when considering tobacco tax hikes.

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