GPs endorses Report on Tobacco

MEDIA RELEASE

College of GPs endorses Maori Affairs Select Committee Report on Tobacco

“The College of GPs endorses the Maori Affairs Select Committee Report on New Zealand’s tobacco industry, released today,” College President Harry Pert says. Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in New Zealand, and GPs throughout the country are relentlessly reminded of the harm it causes individuals and family/whanau.

“Doctors and others are increasingly concerned about rising demand for health services, and the country’s ability to pay. Too much of the healthcare dollar is spent on the avoidable harm caused by smoking. Too many individuals have their lives damaged or shortened by tobacco. Too many families lose loved ones before their time,” Dr Pert adds.

The College of GPs looks forward to working with Government, the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to find constructive solutions to reduce this avoidable waste of lives and scarce health resources.

The College supports the Committee’s proposals: for plain packaging, to ban displays of tobacco products and advertising at the point of sale, that additives must be stated on tobacco packaging, and that the tobacco industry funds smoking cessation treatments.

ENDS

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