A sharp price hike has come into force for tobacco users in French Polynesia where cigarettes now cost 39 percent more than last week.
Photo: 123rf.com
The increase raises the price of cheaper brands of cigarettes to more than $US9 a pack.
According to experts, the positive effect on public health was more likely if prices were raised quickly and substantially.
Recent studies show that more than 40 percent of French Polynesia's population smokes.
The government was expected to collect about $US13 million in additional tax.
