We see what smoking does to people
The Asthma Foundation today praised the Government and congratulated the Associate Minister of Health, Tariana Turia,
for facing the facts and raising taxes on cigarettes – poisonous products that play a massive role in New Zealand’s
appalling respiratory health statistics.
Legislation that went through Parliament on Wednesday night pushed up the average cost of a pack of 25 cigarettes by
$1.10, effective immediately. The Government set in place a number of tax rises so that by 2012, a pack of 25s will go
up by nearly $5 a pack – or 30 per cent. By then a pack of 20 cigarettes will cost more than $14 and a pack of 25s more
than $17.
“This is fabulous news, despite the desperate and somewhat pathetic scaremongering by Imperial Tobacco about black
markets and cigarettes becoming more attractive to thieves,” says the Asthma Foundation’s Chief Executive, Jane
Patterson.
“Cigarette smoke is a pernicious trigger of asthma attacks and this is enormously important when you consider that about
1 in 4 New Zealand children has asthma and 1 in 6 adults.
“Also, a large majority of the New Zealanders who live with the debilitating effects of emphysema and chronic bronchitis
smoke or used to smoke.
“Something decisive needed to be done. This is a good step in the right direction.
“Tariana Turia has acted as a champion for everyone concerned about the respiratory effects of smoking. We applaud her
for that and recognise the Government’s positive approach.
“We see what smoking does to people and more needs to be done in Aotearoa to reduce the ugly effects of smoking, a
dangerous habit that sucks the life out of us. A ban on retail tobacco displays as a next step would show this
Government is committed to a smoke free New Zealand.”
ENDS