May 31, 2018
Smokefree day celebration but more needed
It's World Smokefree Day, and that's a chance to congratulate everyone who is trying to stop smoking or has recently kicked the addiction.
Associate Health Minister Jenny Salesa says 14 percent of New Zealanders smoke on a daily basis.
That's a 5 percent reduction in daily smoking rates over the past decade, but 33 percent of Maori and 22 percent of Pacific people still smoke on a daily basis.
Ms Salesa says the Government is developing an action plan to help reach the Smokefree 2025 goal.
The action plan will take into account evidence-based initiatives as well as the evaluation findings into the consequences of tobacco excise increases on Maori and Pacific, low income earners and young people.
It will also consider risk-proportionate regulation across all tobacco products including smoked tobacco, smokeless tobacco and vaping products.
Copyright © 2018, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com