Australian Laws Not for New Zealand, Says BATNZ

media release
For Immediate Release: 19 September 2012

Australian Laws Not for New Zealand, Says BATNZ

British American Tobacco New Zealand (BATNZ) has questioned the wisdom of following Australia with the introduction of plain packaging for tobacco in New Zealand.

“Plain packaging is untested and there is no proof it will work. Even the former Australian Minister of Health has acknowledged that there is no proof to support this policy,” says Steve Rush, BATNZ General Manager.

Australia’s plain packaging legislation is fraught with difficulty. It remains the subject of several World Trade Organisation challenges as well as an investment treaty claim. Furthermore, a number of countries, including some of New Zealand’s trading partners, have expressed concern at Australia’s plain packaging move.

“Sound public policy is not simply a matter of copying the laws of other countries, but developing what is right for New Zealand,” says Mr Rush.

“New Zealand shouldn’t be blindly following Australia when there is no proof plain packaging will work; plain packaging instead brings the very real prospect of serious unintended consequences for New Zealand,” concludes Mr Rush.

ENDS

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