Plain Package Plan to Proceed

Māori services applaud Mr Key’s announcement on plain packaging of cigarettes

The National Māori Tobacco Control service, Manurewa Marae,Te Whānau o Waipareira, Raukura Hauora o Tainui, and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua congratulate Mr Key’s for notifying the public of the Government’s intention to progress plain packaging laws . We know that Mr Key was waiting for the Australian court case on plain packaging to be settled, the case has now been settled, and Australia has won the right to continue with its tobacco plain-packaging laws.

Plain tobacco packaging, also known as generic, standardised packaging, refers to packaging that requires the removal of all branding (colours, imagery, corporate logos and trademarks), permitting manufacturers to print only the brand name in a mandated size, font and place on the pack, in addition to health warnings. The appearance of all tobacco packs is standardised, including the colour of the pack.

Zoe Hawke the Manager of the National Māori Tobacco Service states that “Mr Key has always shown interest in many of the suite of tobacco control initiatives needed to reduce smoking related harm and to reach the Government goal of a Smokefree 2025. In regards to plain packaging he wasn’t ready to progress legislation until he was certain that New Zealand was safe from the threat of a costly court case. We applaud his recent announcement that he is now confident about continuing with one of the key initiatives that will help to reduce our smoking rates, and prevent our young people from being attracted to colourful, smooth looking gift wrapped packaging that misrepresents the true nature of the deadly product.”.

Studies comparing existing branded cigarette packs with plain cardboard packs bearing the name and number of cigarettes in small standard font, found plain packs to be significantly less attractive. Additionally, research in which young adults were instructed to use plain cigarette packs and subsequently asked about their feelings towards them confirmed findings that plain packaging increased negative perceptions and feelings about the pack and about smoking. Plain packs also increased behaviors such as hiding or covering the pack, smoking less around others, going without cigarettes and increased thinking about quitting. Almost half of the participants reported that plain packs had either increased the above behaviors or reduced consumption.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua run a stop smoking innovation service and are thrilled to see much needed strategies being put into place to encourage more quitting. “We always see an increase in people accessing our service when tobacco tax increases occur, and we expect to see the same when plain packaging is introduced, just as it was in Australia” says Service Manager Anthony Thompson. Manurewa Marae, Te Tira Hou Marae, Ngā Watene Māori o Manurewa also commend the announcement, and Waipareira and Raukura Hauora o Tainui who currently have stop smoking services see the move as a positive one for Māori, and overall New Zealand smoking rates.

If you want to access a stop smoking service click on: www.aukatikaipaipa.co.nz

ends

© Scoop Media