Health Provider Urges NZ Government to Retain Smokefree Law for Improved Public Health

Hāpai Te Hauora, the National Māori Public Health Organisation, is advocating for the government to reconsider its plans to repeal the Smokefree Amendment Act. The proposed amendments aimed to remove cigarettes from most dairies, lower nicotine levels, and restrict sales to those born after January 1, 2009. The interim CEO of Hāpai Te Hauora, Jason Alexander, emphasizes that abandoning these changes will have adverse effects on both lives and the economy, further burdening the already overstretched health system. He suggests exploring alternatives, such as raising the tobacco purchase age to 25 and reducing the number of retail outlets. The call comes amid protests against the government’s repeal plans.