Chocolate flavoured cigarettes not acceptable

Chocolate flavoured cigarettes not acceptable

The Public Health Association is disgusted that tobacco companies are testing chocolate and other sweet-flavoured cigarettes.

The PHA says this move can only be aimed at encouraging children to take up this highly addictive habit which is the single largest cause of preventable death and disease in New Zealand.

PHA director Dr Gay Keating says British American Tobacco is reported to be experimenting with flavours such as chocolate, vanilla, cherry juice and Maple Syrup. Dr Keating says targeting children is not acceptable.

"Adult smoking rates have decreased in the last ten years but youth smoking has increased significantly during the same period."

Dr Keating says most smokers have taken up the habit at a young age and discovered quitting is not easy. She says smoking causes more than 4500 avoidable deaths in New Zealand each year and it is estimated more than 80,000 people will die from tobacco related deaths over the next 20 years if current smoking trends continue.

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