Shorten confronted on tobacco excise hike

A Labor voter has challenged Opposition Leader Bill Shorten over his plan to raise the excise on tobacco.

For some pensioners and the less-well-off cigarettes were the "only thing they've got", Mr Shorten was told.

"Smoking costs Australians much more than any tobacco excise will raise," the Labor leader replied, conceding he understood the man's concern about the impact on the working class.