December 13, 2023
International reputation up in smoke
Health leader Sir Collin Tukuitonga says New Zealand’s international reputation is at stake as the new Government unwinds efforts to make Aotearoa smokefree by 2025.
Sir Collin has quit a number of advisory roles, including chairing Te Whatu Ora’s Pacific Senate.
He says changing the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act so tax revenue from cigarette sales is not lost is shameful.
“Of course the smoking rates will continue to decline, that’s not the issue. The legislation would have allowed us to accelerate to achieve Smokefree Aotearoa in 2025, particularly the slow decline in Māori and Pacifica peoples,” Sir Collin says.
He says scrapping Te Aka Whai Ora – the Māori Health Authority, repealing the fair pay law and discouraging use of te reo Māori are signs the Government is heading in a negative direction.