25 June 2003

Media release - available for immediate use

A clean-air solution - should it be inhaled?

The Hospitality Association of New Zealand has applauded United Future's Peter Dunne and his compromise solution to the Smoke Free Environments (Enhancement Protection) amendment bill.

Yesterday Mr Dunne released his suggestions that clean air in public places can be achieved by methods of ventilation and if any bar fails to comply with these standards, then they would automatically become smoke free.

HANZ Chief Executive, Bruce Robertson, says that the Dunne suggestion is a shining light through a smoky room.

"He has come up with a solution that will make public areas virtually smoke free, and they will certainly provide a clear-air atmosphere for those who do not smoke or abhor the habit," say Mr Robertson.

He also says that the rationale being put forward by Sue Kedgley (Green Party) and Steve Chadwick (Labour) opposing Dunne's reflects an ideological stance and does not accept this compromise which embraces individual choices and individual responsibility.

"Those setting themselves up as experts and trotting out tired and false statements about air pollution -it doesn't reflect well on their relationship with reality," says Mr Robertson.

"One of the main problems is that mis-information is being tossed around. "Peter Dunne has come up with a sensible and workable solution to the problem and some aren’t buying into it -either because their thinking is muddled, or maybe because they didn't come up with the idea in the first place," Mr Robertson said.

ENDS

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