Health Ministry supports tobacco display ban

23 September 2009
Media Statement

Health Ministry confirms support for tobacco display ban - government still divided

The Ministry of Health has today confirmed its support for a ban on tobacco displays as part of a range of measures required to ensure smoking rates continue to decline in New Zealand, Labour Associate Health spokesperson Iain Lees-Galloway says.

“Ministry of Health officials today told the Maori Affairs Select Committee that they support banning tobacco displays and that their advice to the Government is to proceed with enacting a ban,” Iain Lees-Galloway said.

“The issue of tobacco displays reveals a growing division within the Government. Health Minister Tony Ryall is opposed to a ban despite mounting evidence that getting tobacco products out of sight and out of mind will help decrease the uptake of smoking amongst young people.

“His Associate Minister with the responsibility for Tobacco Control, Tariana Turia has indicated support but as yet has not achieved any traction with her Ministerial colleagues.

"I wonder just who Tony Ryall is listening to. He clearly doesn't listen to his Associate Minister or his Ministry advisors. The public has a right to know where he is getting his advice from and which interest groups are influencing his continued reluctance to do the right thing and rid New Zealand of the last bastion of tobacco advertising.

"The Ministry of Health today described tobacco smoking as the leading cause of preventable death in New Zealand. Cigarettes kill over 5000 people every year. Every single lever should be pulled to discourage kiwis from smoking, yet the Government sits on the sidelines and does nothing. Tony Ryall should be ashamed of himself," Iain Lees-Galloway said.

Due to the Government's failure to act, Iain Lees-Galloway has submitted the Smoke-free Environments (Banning Tobacco Displays) Amendment Bill to the ballot on every available occasion this year.

ENDS