Research: Spike in store robberies

Read the report by the Centre of Research Excellence: Indigenous Sovereignty and Smoking from the Journal Safer Communities: Price hikes, crime fad or political football? What caused a spike in store robberies for cigarettes in New Zealand: Analysis of news reports (2009-2018).

The large increase in robberies that occurred in 2016–2017 likely resulted from tax-driven tobacco price hikes combined with reduced duty-free tobacco coming into NZ with travellers.

Installation of security in stores, news fatigue and other explanations are potential reasons for the 2018 decrease in reported robberies despite tobacco prices increasing.

Frequent robberies of local stores, many including violence, should be a public health concern as the destruction of community well-being can be a determinant of other health problems.

The negative consequences for communities, particularly lower socioeconomic communities, need to be factored into the cost-benefit analysis of raising the tax on tobacco.