media release

For Immediate Release: 17 October 2012
Plain Packaging Sets Troubling Precedent

The Government’s proposal to force tobacco into plain packages sets a troubling precedent for other products, says British American Tobacco New Zealand (BATNZ).

“Plain packaging represents a fundamental shift in the New Zealand Government's attitude towards intellectual property and has far-reaching implications,” says Mr Steve Rush, BATNZ General Manager.

Plain packaging is already being discussed for other products both locally and overseas. The British Government has issued a White Paper on alcohol that includes plain packaging as a policy option while the South African Minister of Health has stated that he would like to remove branding from alcohol.

“In New Zealand, plain packaging is also being discussed by some commentators for other consumer goods including alcohol. This illustrates just one of the risks to the New Zealand economy should plain packaging be introduced,” says Mr Rush.

If plain packaging is introduced, BATNZ questions the ability of the Government to restrict plain packaging to tobacco products and to credibly protect New Zealand’s key exports from similar legislation overseas. “No Government can take responsibility for what future Governments will do, however, they should be responsible for ensuring their public policy is robust, evidence-based and doesn’t set dangerous precedents,” Mr Rush says.

In May a further four years of 10 per cent annual real tax increases for tobacco was announced and since July the display of tobacco products at retail has been banned.

“It would make sense to review the success or otherwise of these initiatives before deciding whether to proceed with plain packaging. There are also other more effective and less trade restrictive ways for the Government to regulate tobacco such as targeted education campaigns and tighter controls on youth access,” Mr Rush says.
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