3. HONE HARAWIRA (Māori Party—Te Tai Tokerau) Link to this
to the Associate Minister of Health
What is the rationale behind the move to prohibit the display of tobacco products for sale in retail outlets?
Hon TARIANA TURIA (Associate Minister of Health) Link to this
The Government is serious about saving lives and reducing harm caused by smoking. A growing body of evidence shows that tobacco displays prompt impulse purchasing. There is a clear link between displays and young people taking up smoking. It is vital that we do more to help people quit smoking and to stop young people from being tempted to take up the habit.
Hon TARIANA TURIA Link to this
The Smoke-free Environments (Controls and Enforcement) Amendment Bill brings in a range of other controls, including the ability to issue instant infringement fines to those selling products to under-age people. We will also be monitoring the progress on Australia’s proposal to legislate plain packaging of tobacco products by 2012, and we will explore the option of New Zealand making similar moves in alignment with Australia. Those controls, combined with the increase in excise tax over the next 3 years, are powerful tools in reducing smoking.
Hon TARIANA TURIA Link to this
Exposure to smoking in the home and tobacco use itself result in a staggering figure of around 5,000 deaths a year. Every day 13 people die from smoking-related diseases. Reduced tobacco consumption has a direct correlation with a reduction in cancers, strokes, blindness, coronary heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease—and the list goes on.
Iain Lees-Galloway Link to this
Why did it take nearly 2 years for her to adopt the Health Committee’s recommendation to remove tobacco displays, given that she had all the evidence she needed 2 years ago, that she has no new evidence, and that her Government has shown that it can acquiesce in just a matter of hours to a corporation like Warner Bros?
Jo Goodhew
Mr SPEAKERHon TARIANA TURIA Link to this
Yes, two public consultation processes have been undertaken. The interesting point in all of this—[ Interruption]
I say to both sides of the House that a question was asked of the Minister and the House deserves the courtesy of being able to hear the answer.
Hon TARIANA TURIA Link to this
Yes, two public consultation processes have been undertaken, and the interesting point in all of this is that members of the public, including those who are smokers, are totally supportive of the actions that the Government is taking.