How many people are opposed to plain packaging?

Imperial Tobacco New Zealand is calling for the Ministry of Health to be open and transparent about the response to the plain packaging public consultation prior to the announcement of the Government’s decision on this issue.

Brendan Walker, Head of Commercial at Imperial Tobacco New Zealand, said: “We know that at least 20,000 individuals and organisations sent in submissions during the consultation and that a significant number of these were opposed to plain packaging. This is a huge response to a public consultation, yet the Ministry of Health refuses to disclose the exact number of people who submitted for and against the proposal.

“You have to question why the Ministry of Health has gone against usual practice by not sending out a press release following the consultation. Plain packaging is an important and topical issue and people should be kept fully informed, particularly where there is substantial opposition to the proposal from businesses and members of the public.”

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