Lees-Galloway hopes for cross party support on Bill

Labour Associate Health Spokesperson Iain Lees-Galloway is delighted his Bill seeking to have point of sale tobacco advertising banned has been drawn from the ballot.

“Given comments previously made by the Maori Party about smoking I hope they will come on board and support this Bill,” Iain Lees-Galloway said.

“I know that Tariana Turia supports banning point of sale advertising and I hope she will use her position as co-leader of the Maori Party to encourage all of her MPs to vote in support of the Bill.

“There is considerable overseas evidence that banning point of sale advertising can help reduce smoking rates.

“Given that National cut $12 million from smoking cessation in the last budget this is also their opportunity to vote for a Bill that will cost the Government nothing but will help reduce smoking rates.

“Labour supported the National/ Maori Party when they raised taxes on cigarettes and now I hope they will support yet another measure to reduce smoking,” Iain Lees-Galloway said.

ENDS

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