Plain packaging conquers the last frontier for Tobacco Marketing

In announcing the introduction of Plain Packaging for tobacco products the New Zealand Government have taken a momentous step towards the goal of New Zealand to be Smokefree by 2025.

The Cancer Society applauds Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia and the Maori Party who have led the charge on this issue.

“Minister Turia has created a legacy that will have a positive impact for the health of the next generation of New Zealanders”. Says John Loof, CEO, Cancer Society Auckland. “By removing the tobacco branding and increasing graphic health warnings cigarettes will become less appealing particularly to children and young people”.

“This is a fantastic achievement towards a Smokefree New Zealand but, just as we have seen across the Tasman, there is still the prospect of legal challenges and delay tactics from the tobacco industry who will fight hard to prevent these measures from becoming law. Cigarette packaging and branding has become the last marketing frontier in which the industry can attract new smokers”.

“Tobacco products in Australia have been marketed in plain packaging since Dec 2012 and this appears to be a widely popular move. With today’s announcement New Zealand could be the next country in the world to introduce plain packaging and re-establishes our position as a world leader in public health policy. Let’s not let the Tobacco industry spin this out for years on end. Every year that 5,000 people die from smoking related illnesses is a year too many”.

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