Media release
24 March 2006
Smokeless Tobacco Idiotic
"Towards a Smokeless Society" - is a symposium taking place at The
University of Auckland today.
Hosted by the School of Population Health, the symposium marks the
establishment of the Auckland Tobacco Control Research Centre - which will
be formally launched by Hon Pita Sharples, co-leader of the Maori Party.
One of the issues up for discussion is smokeless (chewing) tobacco.
"I can't believe that we are even discussing smokeless tobacco at this
seminar," Te Reo Marama Director Shane Bradbrook said today.
"Some argue that it is a less harmful alternative to cigarettes. But what
you effectively have here is experts in the Smokefree sector colluding with
the tobacco industry to sell their product. No, no, no. Chewing tobacco is
illegal now and that's the way it should stay."
Te Reo Marama supports a total ban the sale of tobacco and related products
in New Zealand.
"The impact that smoking has on Maori is tantamount to legal genocide. It's
the biggest killer of our people. There is no good reason why people
consume tobacco in any form; it kills them."
ENDS