Turia: Tobacco, Crafar Farms and the Gambling Act

Friday, 20 April 2012, 12:43 pm
Article: Mark P. Williams

Associate Minister of Health Tariana Turia today made a statement on the proposal to introduce plain packaging for tobacco products.

The Minister said that she was very pleased that Cabinet had agreed to the consultation process and rejected the tobacco industry's claim that it would encourage young people to take up smoking. She added that she felt it was important that tobacco branding itself be addressed with robust policies she cited the need to reach young people through their consciousness of brands and branding to effect change.

The Minister was also asked about the Crafar Farms issue and emphasised that her primary concern remained the lack of consultation with Iwi over the sale of the assets rather than who the farms were being sold to.

When asked about the implications of New Zealand's trade agreements for a plain packaging policy the Minister said firmly that this government will not be affected by trade agreements should tobacco companies decide to take the matter to court.

Asked about the casino issue and proposed changes to the Gamblling Act to allow the new casino to be built, the Minister said clearly that she would not support such legislation.

The Minister confirmed that she had tried cigarettes but disliked it and was not a smoker. She added that from personal experience the perceived normalisation of smoking in family and community environments was important in discouraging young people from smoking. She also added that, in her view, Parliament ought to be setting the example by going completely smoke free.

ENDS

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