Monday, 7 August, 2023 - 14:49Health Coalition Aotearoa (HCA) says a dangerous and cynical "save our stores" campaign paid for by tobacco companies is designed to undermine legislation which will save thousands of lives. Radio New Zealand reported the campaign appeared to be driven by dairy owners but was in fact "proudly supported" by tobacco companies - a fact that was not obvious to readers. The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill, which came into effect on Jan 1 aims to achieve the Smoke-free 2025 goal of fewer than 5 per cent of people smoking. HCA co-chair Lisa Te Morenga said the campaign showed tobacco companies could never be trusted to put health - and lives - ahead of profits. "Tupeka Kore (tobacco free) is the goal Māori set as a direct result of the inquiry into the devastating impact that tobacco products have had on Māori."

Source: New Zealand Herald August 07, 2023 03:01 UTC