Senator David Leyonhjelm has released a pro-smokers video, telling people if they vote for the Liberal Democrats he'll fight any increase to the cost of a pack of cigarettes.
My message to Australia's smokers - the Liberal Democrats are the only party on your side. #auspol #nannystate
It shows the libertarian senator accusing both Labor and Liberal parties of planning to increase the price of a pack of cigarettes to $40 or more.
The senator claims that one in seven Australians are smokers and the Liberal Democrats "support your right to choose to smoke" and will "fight tobacco taxes".
Senator Leyonhjelm describes any increases in the tobacco excise as "flagrant theft" from "havers of good time".
Leyonhjelm has previously thanked smokers for lighting up, describing their cigarette purchases as "staggering generosity" to the country's budget.
But people aren't happy about the weird video.
@DavidLeyonhjelm Any voter that would swing to your party on this issue is an idiot
@DavidLeyonhjelm you do know each year smoking kills ~15,000 Australians & costs $31.5B in social & economic costs. That's my hard earned 💰
@DavidLeyonhjelm ABS says the cost of smoking to economy is double that of cig tax revenue. Seems weird you'd push for subsidising a habit.
@SteinerVagina @razdhorse @DavidLeyonhjelm Then by your logic: People break legs cause of Medicare. Taking it away would stop accidents? LOL
Dickhead. The sooner he is out of parliament, the better https://t.co/KW9Y6I81RY