A 10% increase in the price of cigarettes which came into effect on January 1 has forced many smokers to make a call to Quitline service, a group that helps to quit smoking.

The rise in the price is a result of 30% increase in tobacco excise over last two years.

Following this hike, a pack of 20 cigarettes would now cost $16 and the price of tobacco would reach $27.

The Public Health Association National Executive Officer, Dr. Gay Keating, said that the last tax increase was one of the main reasons to quit smoking by over two-thirds of the callers.

Quit Group Chief Executive, Paula Snowden stated that they were expecting 140 people to call the service on New Year's day, but it went beyond their predictions to reach 176 calls.

It was the first time that telephone service was open on a Saturday.

Ms. Snowden further added that despite the tax increase people also took the decision of quitting smoking as a common New Year's resolution.

According to her, though some people are not bothered about the price hike but, "the reality is that many of those who call Quitline are sick of spending money on smoking".