Minister releases Tobacco Action Plan
Hon Annette King
Minister of Health
22 December 2000 Media Statement
Minister releases Tobacco Action Plan
The Government’s action plan on reducing smoking was released today by Health Minister Annette King. The plan outlines initiatives designed to reduce the number of New Zealanders who die or suffer ill health as a result of smoking tobacco.
“New Zealand is recognised internationally as having a comprehensive tobacco control strategy - our rate of tobacco consumption is among the lowest in the world. Despite this there are still far too many New Zealanders smoking - particularly Mäori and young people," said Mrs King.
“The release of this action plan lets people see exactly what we are doing to reduce tobacco-related illness and death. It also enables groups and individuals to have an input into the future direction of tobacco control in this country.”
Mrs King said key initiatives in the tobacco action plan included the smokefree Bill currently before Parliament.
“Close to 400 New Zealanders die every year because of exposure to second-hand smoke. A major focus of the smokefree Bill is to improve protection of people from exposure to other people’s smoke, particularly in their work places.
“The plan also includes cessation initiatives, such as the national freephone Quitline (0800 778 778), subsidised nicotine patches and gum, enforcement of the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990, and details of research being carried out into tobacco issues.
Mrs King emphasised that the plan focuses largely on the work of the Ministry of Health and Health Funding Authority.
“I recognise that non-government organisations and health workers make an invaluable contribution to tobacco control - for example, in the promotion of smokefree environments and quitting smoking. The Government relies heavily on these groups and individuals to take the smokefree message to the community.
“This action plan, however, is a statement of the Government’s role in tobacco control. I would welcome input on what we could do better and ideas for new initiatives to reduce smoking.”
More…
Mrs King said the Ministry
of Health would shortly be releasing a framework for
obtaining better input into the National Drug Policy from
groups, organisations and individuals. The National Drug
Policy sets out the Government’s policy and intentions with
regard to tobacco, alcohol, and illicit and other drugs. It
relies on the combined efforts of all government and
non-government agencies.
“As part of this improved communication, a National Drug Policy website is being developed to provide a ‘one-stop shop’ for information on drugs - including illicit drugs and alcohol, as well as tobacco. The website will have input from a number of agencies including Police, Justice, Education, Te Puni Kokiri, the Alcohol Advisory Council, and Youth Affairs,” said Mrs King.
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PROGRAMME ON TOBACCO CONTROL 2000/01
POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENT
Initiative Lead Government
Agency Other agencies Status
Smoke-free Environments
(Enhanced Protection) Amendment Bill.
Proposals include:
prohibiting smoking in all educational institutions except
tertiary, further restrictions on the display of tobacco
products, restricting smoking in most workplaces, and giving
judges the ability to prohibit a person from selling
tobacco, or to impose conditions on the sale of tobacco, for
a specified period upon a second conviction for the sale of
tobacco to a minor. Ministry of Health Education, OSH as
required Before the Health Select Committee, submissions
have not yet been called for.
Supplementary Order Paper
(SOP) to the Smoke-free Environments (Enhanced Protection)
Amendment Bill.
The Minister of Health proposes
introducing an SOP to the Bill to further strengthen the
Smoke-free Environments Act 1990. Ministry of
Health Education, OSH, Justice SOP currently being drafted
by Parliamentary Counsel Office.
Options for tobacco
product disclosure and for reducing the harm caused by
tobacco by monitoring or regulating the constituents in
tobacco products sold in NZ. Ministry of Health Policy is
being developed on possible options. Public consultation
based on reports prepared by ESR is planned for later this
year or early 2001.
Strengthened health warnings on
tobacco product packets. The Government introduced
regulations in 1999 (Smoke-free Environments Regulations
1999) to require New Zealand cigarette and tobacco packets
to carry larger, stronger health warnings. The new warnings
included the phone number of the Quitline. In the past 12
months, 16% of callers to the Quitline said they acquired
the number from a tobacco packet. Ministry of Health New
health warnings now on tobacco products.
Litigation
against tobacco companies - work is underway to assess the
potential for litigation. New Zealand is participating in a
trans-Tasman working party which was set up by the
Australian Attorneys-General. To be confirmed Ministry of
Health/Health Funding Authority, Justice, Crown Law Office,
DPMC, Commerce Currently reviewing options.
Initiative Lead Government Agency Other
agencies Status
Tobacco taxation. Last tobacco excise
increase was in May 2000, when the excise on a packet of 20
cigarettes was increased by $1, including GST. Ministry of
Health Treasury Ongoing advice on the benefits of tobacco
taxation to reduce tobacco consumption.
Framework
Convention on Tobacco Control.
Contribution to
negotiation of an International Framework Convention on
Tobacco Control. Input into policy development is also
sought from the tobacco industry and health
agencies. Ministry of Health Foreign Affairs and Trade The
degree of New Zealand participation in meetings in October
2000 and March 2001 is being finalised.
ASSESSMENT, ADVICE AND TREATMENT SERVICES
Initiative Lead Government
Agency Other agencies Status
Subsidised Nicotine Patches
and Gum Programme.
$6.18 million per year for subsidised
nicotine patches and gum was announced in June. Health
Funding Authority /Ministry of Health Subsidised patches
and gum have been available nationwide through the Quitline
since 1 November 2000. Stage two is now underway whereby
approved smoking cessation providers can apply to distribute
patches and gum exchange cards.
National freephone
Quitline.
Health Funding Authority, Quit Group - Health
Sponsorship Council, Cancer Society of NZ, Te Hotu Manawa
Mäori Ministry of Health Has been in operation since
mid-1998. Nearly 50,000 calls received annually. 40,000
calls were received in the first month that nicotine patches
and gum exchange cards were available through the
Quitline.
Funding for Mäori smoking cessation
services
$5 million per year of additional funding for
Mäori smoking cessation services announced in May 2000
budget. Health Funding Authority finalising services to be
purchased. Health Funding Authority/Ministry of
Health Ongoing.
Nicotine replacement therapy and
counselling services for Mäori women
The national smoking
cessation pilot programme for Mäori women - Aukati Kai Paipa
- is underway. It involves up to 2500 Mäori women smokers
over two years. The programme is delivered by Mäori
providers in Mäori communities, and is developing best
practice models for the delivery of cessation services
involving NRT and counselling for Mäori. Health Funding
Authority /Ministry of Health Ongoing.
Quit and Win
competition
A Quit and Win competition was recently
piloted in the Hawkes Bay area. There are plans to extend
the concept to other areas. Health Funding Authority
/Ministry of Health Under development.
Initiative Lead Government Agency Other
agencies Status
Nicotine patches and gum becoming a
general sales medicine
Nicotine patches and gum are now
available via general sale, following a recent decision by
the Medicines Classification Committee. Ministry of
Health Ongoing.
Smoking cessation clinics in HHSs
The
Health Funding Authority will be funding smoking cessation
clinics in some HHSs, for inpatients and parents of children
who are inpatients. Health Funding
Authority Ongoing.
Private smoking cessation
providers
There are a number of groups and individuals,
some partly Government-funded, currently providing smoking
cessation assistance. Cessation help can be provided in a
number of ways - from group support sessions, counselling,
and the provision of nicotine replacement therapies, to
hypnotherapy and acupuncture. IPAs, organisations, groups,
individuals Ongoing.
Other education and cessation
programmes
A number of organisations, groups, and
individuals receive funding from the Health Funding
Authority to provide general education on healthy
lifestyles, which includes advice and support relating to
not starting to smoke, quitting smoking and smokefree
environments. For example, marae-based health services,
tamariki ora/wellchild services, pregnancy services, and
health promotion services, asthma prevention services
etc. Health Funding Authority, organisations, individuals,
groups Ongoing.
HEALTH PROMOTION
Initiative Lead
Government Agency Other agencies Status
National Quit
multimedia campaign to promote quitting and the Quitline.
Has been in operation just over a year. Generating a high
level of calls to the Quitline. Nearly a quarter of those
who speak to a Quit advisor are Mäori. Health Funding
Authority/ Quit Group Ministry of Health Ongoing. Television
commercials for Maori with a SHS focus are currently under
development.
World Smokefree Day
Celebrated every year
on 31 May, and in the weeks leading up to 31 May. Raises
awareness of tobacco control issues. Health Funding
Authority, National Planning Group currently consisting of
the Quit Group, Cancer Society, Health Sponsorship Council,
Te Hotu Manawa Mäori, Asthma and Respiratory Foundation,
National Heart Foundation. Ministry of Health, Public Health
Services, health workers The theme for World Smokefree Day
(31 May) in 2001 is ‘Clearing the Air’ - focusing on the
dangers of exposure to second-hand smoke.
Second-hand
smoke campaign
Work is being done on costings, key
messages etc for a media campaign on the dangers of exposure
to second-hand smoke to support World Smokefree Day. Health
Sponsorship Council, Quit Group, Ministry of
Health. Ongoing.
Smokefree schools, kura kaupapa,
pre-schools, kohanga reo
Providing smokefree education to
schools and early childhood centres, encouraging smokefree
environments. Health Funding Authority /Ministry of
Health Education, Public Health Services, health
workers Ongoing.
Development and distribution of tobacco
control health education resources
Many tobacco control
health education resources are available, with new resources
under development. Resources focus on a number of areas
including quitting, smokefree areas, smokefree teens, and
not selling tobacco to minors. Health Funding Authority
/Ministry of Health Ongoing.
Smokefree sponsorship
activities
Ongoing smokefree sponsorship of sporting and
cultural events to promote healthy lifestyles. Auahi Kore
and Lungfish have joined the Smokefree brand. All three are
promoted widely at a number of events including kapa haka,
netball, the Pacific Beats awards, and at the Smokefree
Rockquest. Health Sponsorship Council Health Funding
Authority/Ministry of Health, Public Health Services, health
workers Ongoing.
Initiative Lead Government
Agency Other agencies Status
Tobacco control health
promotion and advocacy carried out by Non-Government
Organisations (NGOs) and health workers. A number of NGOs
are committed to tobacco control and advocacy, and the
promotion of smokefree environments. Staff in Public Health
Services and other health workers are also heavily involved
in the on-going promotion of tobacco control initiatives,
such as smokefree environments and quitting smoking. Cancer
Society of NZ, Te Hotu Manawa Mäori, Asthma and Respiratory
Foundation of NZ, National Heart Foundation, Action on
Smoking and Health, Smokefree Coalition, Apärangi Tautoko
Auahi Kore etc, Public Health Services, health
workers Ongoing.
Other Government agencies
(non-health)
A number of Government agencies include
tobacco control and smokefree promotion in their wider
programmes. For example:
Youth Affairs: a number of the conservation corps programmes funded through the Ministry of Youth Affairs particularly promote non-smoking and encourage project members to stop smoking by the end of the course.
Education: drug education is a component of the mental health key area of learning in Health and Physical Education in the New Zealand Curriculum which was distributed to schools last year and will be mandated in 2001. Drug Education: A Guide for Principals and Boards of Trustees, which was recently developed to support the curriculum, provides a framework to use when developing health education programmes that include drug education and policies and procedures for dealing with drug issues in schools. Youth Affairs, Education, Te Puni Kokiri etc Ongoing.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Initiative Lead
Government Agency Other
agencies Status
Enforcement/monitoring of the Smoke-free
Environments Act 1990 (the Act) - sales of tobacco products
to minors
Educating retailers, carrying out test
purchases at retail outlets, taking prosecution action where
appropriate. Ministry of Health/ Health Funding
Authority Public Health
Services Ongoing.
Enforcement/monitoring of the Act -
smokefree environments
Educating employers about the
requirements of Part I of the Act with regard to smokefree
workplaces, following up complaints, taking prosecution
action where appropriate. Ministry of Health/ Health Funding
Authority Public Health
Services Ongoing.
Enforcement/monitoring of the Act - ban
on tobacco product advertising
Following up complaints of
tobacco product advertising, educating about the
requirements of the Act with regard to tobacco product
advertising, taking prosecution action where
appropriate. Ministry of Health/ Health Funding
Authority Public Health
Services Ongoing.
Enforcement/monitoring of the Act -
other
Other education/monitoring and enforcement
regarding the Act. For example, receipt of annual legislated
tobacco industry returns and reports, enforcing the ban on
the sale of chewing tobacco, issues around the location of
vending machines, etc. Ministry of Health/ Health Funding
Authority Public Health Services Ongoing.
INFORMATION, RESEARCH AND EVALUATION
Initiative Lead
Government Agency Other agencies Status
Quarterly surveys
of tobacco smoking prevalence (AC Nielsen) Ministry of
Health/ Health Funding Authority On-going.
Monitoring of
tobacco consumption figures (Department of
Statistics) Ministry of Health/ Health Funding
Authority On-going.
Survey of smoking behaviour of
fourth formers
Funded by the Health Funding Authority and
carried out by Action on Smoking and Health in recent years.
Information on fourth form smoking prevalence in secondary
schools. This survey has been carried out in 1992, 1997,
1998, 1999 and will also be carried out in 2000. Health
Funding Authority, Action on Smoking and Health To be
carried out in 2000.
Lifestyle survey of fourth and sixth
form students
The Youth Lifestyle Study includes over 100
questions, mostly about smoking and related
demographics. Health Sponsorship Council, Cancer
Society The survey is being carried out in 50 secondary
schools this year.
Training of tobacco control
workers
On-going training with a focus on enforcement of
the Act. Ministry of Health/ Health Funding
Authority General ongoing training. Training on the use of
the National Cessation Guidelines for health professional
and community health workers is in progress.
National
co-ordination of tobacco control activities.
Currently
support is made available for national conferences,
newsletters and consultation exercises.
Some support is
also provided for Mäori auahi kore workers via Te Hotu
Manawa Mäori.
Health Funding Authority /Ministry of
Health Ongoing.
Advice on the effects of the additives
in tobacco products
ESR has been contracted to review the
available information on the constituents of tobacco
products that influence the appeal and addictiveness of
these products and to identify possible opportunities for
harm reduction and areas of research needed. Ministry of
Health/ Health Funding Authority Report due December
2000.
Initiative Lead Government Agency Other
agencies Status
Evaluation of tobacco control
initiatives
The Health Funding Authority has specifically
funded evaluation of the following programmes: the national
Quitline, the Quit multi-media campaign, and the national
smoking cessation pilot programme for Mäori women - Aukati
Kaipaipa. Health Funding Authority /Ministry of
Health Ongoing.
Smoking cessation
guidelines
Guidelines for Smoking Cessation, a resource
for health professionals, was developed and distributed
widely in 1999. Health Funding Authority/National Advisory
Committee on Health and Disability/Cancer Society Ongoing
distribution.
Second-hand smoke research
The
Ministry has commissioned ESR to survey the level of
exposure of bar workers to second-hand smoke, compared to
workers who have protection from second-hand smoke in their
workplaces.
The Ministry has commissioned
research into the mortality attributable to exposure to
second-hand smoke.
The Ministry is also
considering funding further research into morbidity
attributable to exposure to second-hand smoke.
The Ministry is aware that a number of health groups are looking into the extent and effects of people’s exposure to second-hand smoke. Ministry of Health, health groups, ESR, Wellington School of Medicine, Health New Zealand Results of exposure of bar workers to SHS due October 2000.
Results of mortality attributable to SHS due October 2000.
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