An Associate Health Minister says cost is not longer a deterrent for smoking - as she considers a review of the tobacco excise tax.  

Earlier this week authorities seized more than a 1.3 million cigarettes - and made five arrests across Rotorua, Waikato and Auckland.

It estimates illicit tobacco accounts for 50 percent of the Australian market.
  
Minister Casey Costello told Ryan BridgeNew Zealand must be wary to not repeat mistakes across the ditch. 

She says Australia had excise tax much higher than ours - while also making it difficult to acquire safer alternatives. 

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