May 07, 2014
Turia takes aim at duty free tobacco
Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia wants to see the end of duty free tobacco across Oceania.
She told the World Congress of Cardiology in Melbourne that cutting down on duty free tobacco could be a successful regional initiative in the fight to cut down smoking and the harm done by tobacco.
Australia has led the way by reducing the concession for incoming travellers from 200 cigarettes to 50, and she’s working with the Minister for Customs to address the issue in New Zealand.
She also applauded Australia’s plain packaging law, and is confident New Zealand will be the next country to introduce a similar law.
A bill is currently before a select committee, but National has said it won’t be passed until international challenges to the Australian law are resolved.
Mrs Turia says targeting the groups most likely to smoke, including Maori and Pacific people, is paying off with smoking prevalence among Maori dropping from 42.2 percent in the 2006 Census to 32.7 percent 2013.
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