Wellington, April 30 NZPA - The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand has welcomed the Government's decision to increase the tax on tobacco and wants to see community pharmacists better used in the fight against smoking-related harm.

The Government increased the tax on cigarettes by 10 percent yesterday with a further 10 percent increase to come next year.

Guild chief executive Annabel Young said any move by the Government to help people give up smoking would be supported by community pharmacists. "The accessibility of pharmacists in the community setting will enable them to build up a long-term relationship with their patients which helps ensure that they don't slip back into the habit of smoking.

"We would like to see community pharmacists eligible to become Quit Card providers. This would allow them to provide smokers with support and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) at the first point of contact," Ms Young said.

Community pharmacies will be using specially designed prescription bags during May with the stop smoking message to support World Smokefree Day.

The message highlights the importance of being a good role model and emphasises how children who see a parent smoking are more likely to pick up the habit.