Advocating Non-Smoking Activities Passed
Dr Karen Poutasi, Director-General of Health
Contracts with Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) advocating non-smoking activities were passed over to the Ministry of
Health from the former Health Funding Authority (HFA).
It appears the first of these contracts was signed in 1993, and they were rolled over with various amendments throughout
the 1990s to the present day.
Internationally, NGOs are funded to lobby and advocate for smokefree activities including the regulatory environment.
However, the Ministry will be seeking State Services Commission advice in reviewing current contracts to ensure the
contracts are appropriate for a central Government Ministry, rather than a funding body at arm's length from Government.