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An anti-smoking coalition is pressing the provincial government to hike taxes on cigarettes, arguing young people are benefiting from the hot job market and have more cash to buy smokes.

But the government says it’s not contemplating any changes, noting tobacco taxes have been increased several times in the past few years.

The Campaign for a Smoke-Free Alberta argues cigarettes sold in Alberta are the most affordable in Canada for people between the ages of 15 and 24, as this groups makes a higher average hourly wage compared with counterparts in other provinces. Tobacco companies are also offering discount cigarettes, the group said.

The smoking rate for Albertans more than 15 years old sits at 21 per cent, according to recent Health Canada data.

Studies show higher taxes lead to a decrease in the number of smokers, said Les Hagen, executive director of Action on Smoking and Health.

Smoke-Free Alberta, a coalition of anti-smoking organizations, wants the province to add at least another $2 to the price of a pack of cigarettes.

“The global evidence is very strong and it demonstrates that tobacco prices and consumption go hand in hand,” Hagen said. “Even in general economic theory, when the price of a given commodity goes up, the consumption goes down. And tobacco is no exception.”

The suggestion of hiking taxes for smokes doesn’t sit well with J.P. Cormier, who was enjoying a cigarette Tuesday evening.

“I think it’s already outrageous,” the 29-year-old said of the price of cigarettes.

He noted that while government is the beneficiary of higher taxes, it also wants people to quit. He suggested tax money from cigarettes be put into research to find easier ways for smokers to give up the habit.

The province did hike taxes in 2002, adding $2.25 to the price of a pack of cigarettes. Last year, it boosted tobacco taxes 16 per cent. As such, there are no plans in the works to increase taxes further, Alberta Health and Wellness spokesman Howard May said Tuesday.

“We increased taxes significantly recently, and we are not contemplating further increases at this time,” he said.

The study cited by Smoke-Free Alberta, and conducted by the Alberta Cancer Board, found it took an average of 44 minutes of work for a young person to earn enough money to buy a pack of premium smokes in this province.

That’s the least amount of time in the country. The average cost of a pack of premium cigarettes in Alberta is $10.95. Quebec has the lowest price per pack at $8.78, with Newfoundland and Labrador the highest at $11.63, according to the study.

Taking into consideration all age groups, the study found it takes an average of 28 minutes for an Albertan to earn enough for a pack of cigarettes, which was the third shortest time in the country.