MP Marama Fox stubs out Big Tobacco in plain packs debate

ASH NZ congratulates Māori Party co-leader Marama Fox on her strong words in her debate with Imperial Tobacco spokesperson Axel Gietz on TV3’s The Nation.

MP Fox told Mr Gietz he and his company were “peddling death and destruction and misery on our people”, and that New Zealand didn’t need his contribution to the discussion on tobacco plain packs. Mr Gietz could only respond with the same tired arguments about free and informed choice.

ASH Director Stephanie Erick said, “We support Marama’s kōrero. Simple, bold, colourful packaging works with young people and we know through the ASH Year Ten Survey that brand recognition is very strong.”

“Big tobacco understands that it (plain packaging) works. That's why they (Imperial Tobacco) sent the head of corporate affairs here to little, old New Zealand to talk to New Zealanders about it .”

END

© Scoop Media