Labour supports legislation on tobacco tax

Labour supports moves to increase tax on tobacco to encourage New Zealanders to kick the habit, Labour Associate Health spokesperson Iain Lees-Galloway said.

“Labour has consistently argued for measures that encourage people to quit smoking, which is why we agreed to support legislation increasing the cost of cigarettes and tobacco,” Iain Lees-Galloway said.

“Price is a known factor in helping people decide to quit smoking, and I hope today’s move will encourage those people who are considering quitting to take the steps they need to kick the habit.

“Sadly legislation to increase the price of tobacco does not address issues such as point of sale advertising.
“We know that advertising cigarettes and tobacco in shops is an enormous temptation to people attempting to kick the smoking habit. Removing point of sale advertising would aid the many New Zealanders who are desperate to quit smoking.

“To help those attempting to quit smoking I have drafted a private members bill to remove point-of-sale tobacco advertising.

"I am very keen to make progress on removing tobacco displays, either through my bill or through supporting the Government should they finally take the lead they should have done when the Health Select Committee recommended this course of action more than a year ago.

“Tariana Turia says she personally supports removing point of sale tobacco advertising. So why hasn’t it happened?

"Action from the Government is long overdue. They have the evidence about what works, so it's time they got on with the job,” Iain Lees-Galloway said.

ENDS

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