Tobacco Inquiry – Time For Evolution To A Tobacco Free Nation

Te Reo Marama will front the Maori Affairs Select Committee in the final public submissions at Parliament tomorrow. The message that will be taken will be challenging and provocative but simple – remove the tobacco industry and its products from Aotearoa.

“The tobacco industry as it operates is a form of legitimised genocide of Maori and non-Maori alike. No other industry operates in this land with such license to create the obscene harm and death as they do.” said Shane Kawenata Bradbrook – Director of Te Reo Marama. “Sadly, it is largely compliant Government policies that allow this historic anomaly to occur over decades.”

The Inquiry has been an opportunity to inform the Maori Affairs Select Committee, wider Government, the general public and the Maori community that tobacco is of no benefit to the nation. It has also highlighted that a political not health solution is required to place a sunset clause on the tobacco industry.

“This Inquiry has an opportunity to close what is a sad chapter of Government complicity in the deaths of so many kiwis. Five decades ago Governments around the world were informed that there was a link with tobacco and cancer and yet we have 5000 New Zealanders, of which 600 are Maori, dying each year and thousands living with debilitating illnesses. There is positive public momentum for major reform that is building towards eliminating tobacco sales.” said Mr Bradbrook.

To date, the Committee has heard a Maori voice from tamariki, whanau and powerful iwi that have collectively expressed that tobacco is a barrier to Maori aspirations from the personal level through to policy and political level. Maori and non-Maori submitters are clearly articulating that there is a need for a change towards a tobacco-free Aotearoa.

“The industry should be held accountable for their destructive product while being shown that they are effectively removed from this market via this Inquiry. Toleration of their presence in this country by successive Governments is surely coming to an end. After submissions are completed the overwhelming call is for a systematic, stepped removal of tobacco by at least 2020 but in our opinion by 2013.” stated Mr Bradbrook.

The Inquiry is moving into the next phase of making recommendations that will be tabled in Parliament in the near future.

“After all the submissions I hope that the Committee really takes some courage and heart into discussions that firstly places the need to remove tobacco and secondly that the earliest possible date to deliver this is agreed to.” said Mr Bradbrook. “By time this part of the process is finished it will coincide with 5000 New Zealanders losing their lives. It is time for a massive evolutionary leap in this critical public health issue.”

Info: Maori Affairs Select Committee begins the hearing tomorrow at 0830 at Bowen House Select Committee Rooms, Wellington.

ENDS

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