MPS say tobacco theft not on them
Palmerston North’s members of Parliament have hit back at suggestions they and their political colleagues are to blame for tobacco-related robberies.
The Butt Bucket in Main St, Palmerston North, was robbed on Thursday night, with money and tobacco products being taken by the offender. Police have arrested and charged a man in relation to the incident.
After the robbery, Butt Bucket owner Richard Green told the Manawatu Standard he placed the responsibility for the robberies his business, petrol stations and dairies experienced on the Government.
He said stores that sold tobacco were being targeted more often as taxes went up on tobacco products.
‘‘They say ‘well, just don’t sell smokes then’, but we should be able to sell a legal product without risking our lives.’’
Green’s store has been targeted in the past, while various service stations in Manawatu and Horowhenua have also had tobacco taken from them.
Police say $5700 worth of tobacco was taken from Mobil on Pioneer Highway on March 24, while Nathan Robert Cord Bowden was jailed for five years after robbing the Levin Mobil service station on August 9.
Cord used a knife to inflict multiple wounds on the station attendant before taking off with cash and tobacco.
Palmerston North-based National MP Jono Naylor said the Government was not to blame.
‘‘The responsibility is with the man with the knife.
‘‘There are lots of people out there who do act legally and, unfortunately, people in life who are criminals who believe using violence is acceptable.
‘‘There are all sorts of places that people hold up or rob.’’
Tobacco taxes were a useful tool in the fight to prevent people taking up smoking, he said.
‘‘I don’t think we should shy away from using the most effective methods to reduce smokingrelated harm.’’
Banning tobacco products could prevent robberies, but Naylor doubted Green would want that.
Palmerston North MP Iain-lees Galloway , from Labour, said it was difficult, as Green did have a legal right to sell tobacco.
‘‘We know dairies, and other stores that are set up like [Green’s] are are vulnerable to being burgled.
‘‘If it is a difficult business to be in, and he is finding it to be a dangerous business to be in, he really has to think hard about if he wants to remain in that business.’’
Banning tobacco may not be a better option, he said.
‘‘A balancing act has to be achieved.
‘‘I would prefer to see our burglary resolution rates improve, so people do not feel like they are going to be able to get away with it.’’
Lees-galloway said he had not been a smoker, but his view was influenced by the fact both his parents had been.
Palmerston North-based NZ First MP Darroch Ball did not return a request for comment.