SIR: A report issued by the Liberal Democrats recenty states that households are now paying more tax under the Labour Government, mainly through indirect taxes such as tobacco duty.

Britain's adult smokers, who have suffered 11 cigarette tax rises over the last ten years - an increase of 50pc in real terms - are only too aware of this. The Liberal Democrat report is in line with research published in March by London Economics (Tobacco tax: Who pays the price?) which highlights that the poorest 10pc of households are hit hardest by tobacco tax rises.

Despite a total lack of evidence that tax increases are stopping people smoking, Labour is determined to carry on raising the duty rate - a policy that serves only to increase the tax burden on those who can least afford it.

The Treasury has recently announced that it is suspending the publication of its own official statistics on how taxes affect households. This comes as no surprise.

?Eddie Cassidy

Co-ordinator

The Fair Cigarette

Tax Campaign

14 Vine Street

Glasgow G11

Tel: 0141 357 4362?

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