A pack of 25-stick cigarettes would soon cost smokers $14 and they have the Senate to thank for as the chamber passed and formalised on Tuesday the Rudd government's earlier decision to raise cigarette excise tax.

The coalition also put its stamp of approval on the measure with Liberal Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells expressing optimism that the move should lessen the long-term pressure on hospital and health care services.

She told parliament that the coalition "would continue this commitment to the Australian people when elected at the next election."

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon also supported the government initiative to hike the excise tax on cigarettes, adding that "I do welcome that cigarettes are more expensive."

He reminded though that the legislation is only the start of a continuing policy to reduce smoking in the country as he pointed out that funds must be allocated for subsidising nicotine replacement therapies and improving prevention methods.

The senator is also batting for an annual survey of teenage smoking and of the indigenous population in order for the government to better assess the efficacy of the measures.

For her part, Greens Senator Rachel Siewert called on the government to swing more focus on the most vulnerable groups of smokers, which includes aborigines and Torres Strait islanders who smoked at twice the rate of the rest of the population.

She suggested that a fraction of the revenue to be generated must be set aside for those who are planning to quit the habit and also for discouraging those who are considering to take it up.

For now, the Excise Tariff Amendment (Tobacco) Bill 2010 and a related legislation have been lined up for royal approval as the federal government waits on recommendations for nicotine replacement medications that would be made available through the state-funded Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.