February 01, 2024
Profit over health in tobacco law change
The End Tobacco Group says the Government is a prioritising wealth over Māori health by repealing world leading Smokefree legislation.
Chair Sue Taylor, who is one of the claimants in a Waitangi Tribunal claim against the decision, says de-nicotisation of cigarettes, a reduction in retail outlets and banning cigarettes sales to the next generation would have been positive next steps towards Smokefree Aotearoa 2025.
Instead they’ve been scrapped as part of the coalition agreement and to fund tax cuts.
“We know tobacco kills, it’s the only legal product sold that if used as intended, it kills one in two users. It makes no sense. And absolutely a no brainer that you will be healthier and there’s less chance of our tamariki that will smoke,” Ms Taylor says.