9. STEVE CHADWICK (Labour—Rotorua) Link to this
to the Associate Minister of Health
What reports, if any, has he received on the impact of the amendments made to the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Associate Minister of Health) Link to this
I have seen a report confirming that the majority of smokers support the smoking ban in bars and restaurants, and that the ban has delivered positive health, economic, and social outcomes.
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
I have seen two. The first stated that the smoking ban was an example of the nanny State and went too far. The second stated that most New Zealanders had welcomed the move to restrict smoking in public places. The first quote was from Wayne “PC Eradicator” Mapp and the second was from the National Party leader, Dr Don Brash.
Madam SPEAKER
Hone HarawiraWhat rationale does the Government have—given its stated support for a healthy population and its highlighting of the disastrous effects of cigarette smoking on the general population of this country, and in particular the Māori population—for spending only 1.5 percent of the nearly $1 billion in tobacco tax on smoking cessation programmes?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
I acknowledge that smoking is a huge health issue for the whole country, but more particularly for its Māori population. We are committed in a number of ways, including through the provision of Māori health providers themselves going to speak with Māori people, to reducing the rate of smoking in the Māori population. That is a determination of this Government, and we hope we get full support for that from the Māori Party.
Peter BrownIs the Minister aware that there are several people who used to go to the pub to have a beer with their cigarette but who now go home and smoke in front of their families and children; if so, how does that deliver on the worthwhile outcomes he indicated earlier?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
We have a very active campaign that highlights the dangers of smoking in front of children. But I also remind the member that far more people go to the bars because there is now no smoking at the bars. So we have had a win for those bar owners, and with the campaign we are running to highlight the dangers of smoking in front of children, I am sure we will see a reduction in the incidence of that, over time, as well.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. My original question, if I may just go back to it and shorten it, was: what rationale does the Government have for spending only 1.5 percent of the nearly $1 billion in tobacco tax on smoking cessation programmes?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
I have to say that we would like to spend far more on smoking cessation programmes, but we are committed to spending a lot of money actually dealing with the health problems that are the outcomes of people smoking previously.