"There would be no cigarettes to steal if they weren’t available": Why we need a reality check on dairy robberies
Source: Hapai Te Hauora
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After an increase in excise tax on tobacco on January 1st, communities and smokefree advocates are calling for greater
protection of those most affected by thefts from dairies. There has been a reported rise in dairy robberies over the
last few months, purported to be in response to the increase in cigarette prices.
Hāpai Te Hauora challenges the prevailing narrative that robberies will continue until the price of tobacco and
cigarettes come down. Dairy robberies occur all year round, not just after tax increases and they often involve theft of
cash, which is a reflection of the desperate circumstances of those living in low paid communities. Entire communities
need to be nurtured and protected from tobacco harm - not just dairies. Mihi Blair, General Manager of Tobacco Control
Advocacy for Hāpai, says we need a Smokefree 2025 strategy that looks beyond tax alone, to other measures which reduce
tobacco availability and appeal.
"There would be no cigarettes to steal if they weren’t available. Why aren’t we talking about how cigarettes are four
times more available in low paid communities? Why are we only talking about ways to protect cigarettes and the shops
that sell them, rather than creating a strategy to phase them out of our neighbourhoods?"
This month, smoking cessation service, Quitline, received a 30% increase in calls suggesting that taxes can motivate
whānau to quit. However, a recent report on tobacco tax issued by the Ministry of Health found communities had mixed
views on tobacco tax with many acknowledging that smokers would continue regardless of price due to the strength of the
addiction. These findings support smokefree advocates’ calls for complementary interventions to achieve Smokefree 2025
to meet the diverse experience and needs of those who smoke.
"Every new year when there’s a tax increase, we have the same conversations about protecting dairies from theft. We hope
to start a new, more important conversation by asking how the government can limit where cigarettes are sold so
communities already affected by tobacco aren’t also harmed by the violence it is creating".
ENDS