Reform proposals ‘game-ending’ for tobacco
The Government has proposed a raft of radical changes to tobacco smoking controls, including sweeping cuts to tobacco retailers and the banning of tobacco sales to new smokers.
The Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 Action Plan proposals, released as a discussion document yesterday, include limiting tobacco sales to specific R18 stores or pharmacies and the reduction of nicotine in products.
Associate Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall said the Government wanted to hear from the public and businesses involved about what measure might be viable to further decrease New Zealand’s already reducing tobacco smoking rate.
‘‘About 4500 New Zealanders die every year from tobacco, and we need to make accelerated progress to be able to reach that goal. Business as usual without a tobacco control programme won’t get us there,’’ she said.
‘‘We need a new approach . . . These include proposals on reducing the access to tobacco through different retail outlets, as well as reducing the palatability of cigarettes by addressing the use of menthol crush-balls filters and filters themselves, and potentially creating a minimum price for cigarettes and tobacco as well.’’
A possible ‘‘smokefree generation policy’’ could ban the sale of tobacco to under-18s from 2022, meaning anyone born after 2004 would be unable to buy tobacco. Currently, there are no restrictions on where tobacco can be sold.
At least 80 per cent of it is sold through convenience stores, service stations, on-licensed premises and supermarkets, the proposal document said.
‘‘There is not very high profit margins on tobacco in New Zealand because the tax is so high, but there is an issue about whether you lose the other business, that comes with tobacco people going into convenience stores and buying a loaf of bread or milk or whatever. And I think that is something we really do want to hear from retailers on.’’
Professor Boyd Swinburn, chairman of advocacy group Health Coalition Aotearoa, said that the recommendations were likely ‘‘game-ending’’ for tobacco.
‘‘There is clear evidence that restricting retail availability is a central strategy for reducing the damage from all harmful products.’’
A just exit for small business owners such as dairies, was needed, he said.