Smokefree Aotearoa: Do Not Hold Us Back!

Smokefree Aotearoa: Do Not Hold Us Back!

This Wednesday many Kiwi’s will celebrate World Smokefree Day and may remember that singular day or reason they stopped smoking for life. This Wednesday may also remind families of loved ones who have passed away due to smoking related illnesses.
Kiwi’s around NZ will be celebrating World Smokefree Day in different ways because at the end of it is the hope of a Smokefree Aotearoa by 2025.

Nevertheless, one of the most lethal products is made both legal and easily available to Kiwi’s of all ages….the known and commonly treated cigarette. Now, not only causing harm to smokers and those they smoke around but also to those who sell cigarettes.

In the last six months, there have been weekly media reports of violent crime against dairy owners in this country linked to cigarette theft.
It has been acknowledged by police that it is difficult to prove a cause and effect relationship but the fears of dairy owners cannot go unanswered.

“One solution is to stop selling cigarettes in ALL diaries” says Ms Zoe Martin-Hawke, General Manager for Tobacco Control Services, Hāpai Te Hauora.
“We need to think about where cigarettes should be sold, that conversation needs to be discussed by communities, public servants and politicians. We all agree that cigarettes causes so much harm so it’s time to at least move them out of our diaries.“

Hāpai Te Hauora support this movement and believe that when tobacco products are moved out of dairies, to more suitable environments, the transition must be fair and universally applied so that nobody profits unfairly, and dairies should be supported through this transition.
“They are hard-working business owners and deserve to be supported in the transition to becoming Smokefree, and should not be operating in fear of being violently attacked over cigarettes” says Hāpai Tobacco Control Advocacy Service Board Advisor Dr Lance O'Sullivan.
“This country has a goal of being Smokefree by 2025, we should be pulling out all the stops and making all diaries Smokefree, this is both a sensible and logical step towards achieving this goal, says Dr O'Sullivan.

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