New Zealand leader in tobacco control wins

Media Release

New Zealand leader in tobacco control wins

international award

New Zealander, Shane Bradbrook, has today been awarded the prestigious Nigel Gray Award at the Oceania Tobacco Control Conference in Darwin, Australia, for his contribution to tobacco control.

Mr Bradbrook received the award for the tobacco work he has undertaken on behalf of the Maori and indigenous people on a global level. He won the award jointly with South Australian epidemiologist, Conrad Jamrozik.

Having worked in many countries as an advisor on advocacy and lobbying and currently head of the New Zealand Maori Smokefree Coalition, Mr Bradbrook is known internationally for his campaigns ‘Maori Murder’, ‘Endangered Species’, ‘Maori Killers’ and work undertaken by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the impact of tobacco use on Indigenous people

Mr Bradbrook said he felt privileged to accept the award on behalf of both the Maori community and also for all Indigenous people who had suffered losses in the battle against tobacco addiction.

"I remain passionately defiant when it comes to the tobacco industry and its continued unethical presence within our communities,” he said. “Holding the tobacco industry accountable for all the loss and illness is paramount if we to truly wish to move towards a tobacco-free world."

The Nigel Gray Award recognises an individual’s contributions in tobacco control, with a bias towards recognition of relatively 'unsung heroes'.

Applications for the award are received from experts in tobacco control in Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific Islands region and PNG.

The award is judged against criteria of creativity, persistence, effectiveness and contributions to change.

Dr Nigel Gray, said that Mr Bradbrook has achieved considerable outcomes in development of capacity and leadership in tobacco control.

“Shane Bradbrook is an outstanding advocate for tobacco control. He pushed indigenous tobacco control issues into the international arena and demanded that the world take notice”, Dr Gray said.

“He also helped the Maori people to understand that the tobacco industry are responsible for much of the increased health burden faced by Maori people today and has engaged community members in the fight to abolish the impact of tobacco on Maori health.”

Nigel Gray, after whom the award is named, is an international expert on tobacco control. He is former Chief Executive of Cancer Council Victoria, former Chair of the UICC (International Union of Cancer Societies) and winner of the American Cancer Society’s prestigious Terry Luther Award.

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