Aroha for people prompts tobacco increase

The Maori Party says it is their love for their people that has motivated them to push for a major increase in tobacco prices, announced in the House today.

“It is the aroha that we have for our people that has inspired us to push for any and all moves that will reduce smoking,” Maori Party MP Hone Harawira said.

“About 600 graves a year are dug too early for Maori people because of smoking, so today is about saving lives.”

Mr Harawira said today’s increase did not lessen his attack on tobacco companies, that he still wants to see them “strung up.”

“In the long term, this will be an attack on tobacco companies because they will have less consumers, and less of our people to kill.

“Most people who smoke want to quit, so this is will hopefully give them the push they need,” he said.

In response to criticism that one in three Maori who smoke might slam the increase, Mr Harawira said: “We didn’t do this because we want to be popular, we did it because it is the right thing to do.”

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia, who negotiated the increase with Government as part of her ministerial health delegations, must be commended for her persistence, Mr Harawira said.

ENDS

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