Lees-Galloway’s Bill Not the Answer

The New Zealand Association of Convenience Stores (NZACS) today said that Iain Lees-Galloway’s Smoke-free Environments (Removing Tobacco Displays) Amendment Bill, drawn out of the Ballot today is not the answer.

“Mr Lees-Galloway’s Bill, while seemingly well meaning, is nothing but a political stunt when the Government is already considering submissions on the issue of retail displays,” said NZACS Chairman Roger Bull.

“Recent research by NZACS showed over 60% of retailers not agreeing with the display ban proposal being pushed by the Ministry of Health and so the Government continues to have a real fight on their hands if they progress the ban idea,” said NZACS Chairman Roger Bull.

Retailers are also aware that both Denmark and Sweden have recently rejected a retail display ban alongside reports that the new UK Business Secretary Vince Cable is looking to overturn the UK’s display ban.

“Sweden’s approach of tightening regulations on the sale of tobacco together with stronger enforcement needs serious consideration by the New Zealand Government instead of simplistic display bans which don’t work and force significant costs onto retailers,” said Mr Bull.

“Mr Lees-Galloway should extend efforts to encourage greater engagement by the Ministry of Health with the retail sector instead of driving overly restrictive and unworkable regulation and red-tape on a struggling retail sector,” said Mr Bull.

“The reality is that the Prime Minister’s comments of June 2009, “that there is no international evidence that a display ban actually works and it’s hugely expensive to do it...” are as relevant today as it was 12 months ago,” Mr Bull said.

ENDS

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