Hāpai Te Hauora backs plain packaging stance to advance Smokefree 2025

Māori Party Co-Leader Marama Fox and Associate Health Minister Nicky Wagner announced today that the Government has confirmed its commitment to standardised packaging of tobacco products, with roll out scheduled from 14 March 2018.

“This is an important step for tobacco harm reduction in New Zealand and we’re thrilled to see the Government sending a clear message to the tobacco industry today,” says Zoe Hawke General Manager of the National Tobacco Control Advocacy Service with Hāpai Te Hauora.

“We commend the National Government, with the support of the Māori Party, for confirming their commitment to plain packaging – especially given New Zealand’s historical leadership in pioneering this approach in the late 80s and early 90s.

Hawke says that there is no single intervention that will take New Zealand to the Smokefree 2025 goal; “This is why it’s so important that plain packaging stands alongside other initiatives like increased availability of e-cigarettes, smoking cessation services and a firm commitment to Smokefree taxation policy”.

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