The Hon Tariana Turia
Co-Leader, Maori Party
Media Release
19 November 2009

Turia reiterates smoking kills message to dairies

The New Zealand Association of Convenience Stores needs to stop hiding behind their tobacco displays and face the fact that the products they sell kill

“One does not need to understand retailing businesses to know that over a 10 year period 50,000 people have died because of smoking,” Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia said.

Mrs Turia had no sympathy for convenience stores which claim they would fall victim to an increase in costs if forced to remove the tobacco retail signs in their shops.

“It is the taxpayer, most of whom aren’t corner stone dairy owners, who pick up the huge tax bill for the ongoing health costs created by this killer substance – a substance the NZACS wants to continue to shove in the face of our children and youths every time they enter a shop.”

NZACS’ attack on anti-tobacco groups was unfair, Mrs Turia said.

“Anti-tobacco groups may not know much about retailing or the operation of convenience store businesses but they know about the value and preciousness of life – and that’s what really matters here.”

ENDS

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