December 10, 2021
Tobacco law back up for community action
The Associate Minister of Health says communities need to drive the Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 target.
Ayesha Verrall yesterday unveiled her smokefree action plan, including legislative changes to block sales of smoking tobacco to future generations and to cut nicotine levels in those cigarettes that are still sold.
There’s also a Māori Advisory Taskforce led by former minister Dame Tariana Turia which will monitor progress and help the government get the community buy-in needed for success.
She says in the past government has asked communities to act and then hasn’t backed them up.
“That’s the task, to be the backup for the local action. I hope communities know we are going to pass and enforce legislation that will support them by getting tobacco out of communities and reducing how addictive it is,” Dr Verrall says.
She says the majority of smokers want to give up, and helping them do so will save thousands of lives.