Tobacco-Free NZ A Step Forward

A commitment to a tobacco free New Zealand is a major step forward for the health of future New Zealanders

The Heart Foundation is totally supportive of the Government’s commitment to work towards a smoke free New Zealand by 2025.

The Foundation endorses the Maori Affairs Select Committee (MASC), Ministers Ryall and Turia, and the wider government for today’s announcement that it plans to address recommendations made in a Maori Affairs Committee Inquiry Report on tobacco last November.

Tobacco smoking is one of the biggest contributors to the number one killer of New Zealanders, cardiovascular disease (heart, stroke and blood vessel disease). The impact of tobacco on cardiovascular disease and other devastating illnesses such as cancer and asthma makes the government's response yesterday both crucial and timely.

One of the crucial recommendations made to the government in the MASC's report is the goal for the country to become a smoke free nation by 2025. Although the Foundation would prefer a shorter timeframe, smoke free by 2020, this represents a major step in the right direction.

"The Heart Foundation sees a future for New Zealand where our tamariki will be protected from the damaging and deadly effects of tobacco", says Maggie McGregor, the Heart Foundation’s Strategic Public Health Advisor. "To achieve the status of a smoke free nation within our lifetime would be a major achievement in the battle to prevent our children and grandchildren from dying prematurely from heart disease and stroke."

Whilst the Heart Foundation congratulates the government for this courageous step, the goal to make New Zealand smoke free is a long term one. What is needed now is for government to increase support for smoking cessation services, particularly those that work with high-risk groups such as pregnant women, and Maori and Pacific populations. Increased quit attempts following recent legislation such as the raise in tobacco taxation show the essential nature of these services. "We know that most smokers would love to quit .The adoption and implementation of the Maori Affairs Committee recommendations will see more people making quit attempts and fewer people starting," Ms. McGregor said.

© Scoop Media