New Zealand

March against ‘dirty deal’ done in secrecy

Mar 9th, 2015

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/335647/march-against-dirty-deal-done-secrecy

The Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement was labelled a ”dirty deal” and an attack on democracy as 1500 protesters rallied in the Octagon to voice their displeasure on Saturday. The protest, part of a national day of action across 23 centres, drew MPs, city councillors and health professionals to join forces in Dunedin to oppose the agreement. Not even the threat of rain deterred the large crowd from marching along George St, carrying placards and shouting slogans such as: ”TPPA, no way!” and ”TPPA, taking people’s power away”.

Like other critics of the proposed trade agreement – planned for 12 countries including New Zealand the United States, Japan, Singapore and Australia – the protesters slammed the deal as an attack on democracy and a ”corporate power grab”. They were also concerned negotiations had been shrouded in secrecy. Once the crowd arrived in the Octagon the protesters listened to speeches, poetry and music. Dunedin based Green Party co leader Metiria Turei said the TPPA was a ”dirty deal” and an attack on New Zealand’s environment and ”fundamental democratic rights to determine for ourselves what happens in our own country”. ”This land belongs to us. It doesn’t belong to John Key or Steven Joyce,” she said.

The Green Party had challenged the Government to release the cost benefit analysis of the trade agreement. Public Health Association member Dr Alex Macmillan said the TPPA would take away access to affordable medicines through Pharmac. ”Pharmac fights for fair and affordable medicine for everyone and big pharmaceutical companies do not like that.” It would also take away New Zealand’s right to limit the power and harm of ”big tobacco and big alcohol” and limit the country’s ability to fight climate change. Dunedin City Councillor Jinty MacTavish was concerned it would limit the power of local government when it came to procurement. Many commentators believed the TPPA would restrict the ability for both local and central Government to take into account non financial measures when procuring goods and services. ”So, if we want to improve environmental standards through our procurement or we want to favour local [businesses], that may be more difficult, or it may not be possible if the TPPA is implemented.” The Dunedin march came as protesters gathered in up to 23 centres, including all of New Zealand’s largest cities. Supporters of the TPPA, including New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the deal would deepen economic ties and open up trade, boost investment flows, and promote closer economic and regulatory co operation.

Government urged to bring plain packs to a vote

Mar 6th, 2015

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http://www.tobaccojournal.com/Government_urged_to_bring_plain_packs_to_a_vote.52888.0.html

Plain-pack supporters including the Maori Party urged the government to rethink its go-slow approach to standardising packaging for tobacco products and send legislation back to Parliament, the New Zealand Herald reported.

A survey in Australia showing a decline in the smoking rate to 12.8 per cent in 2013, the first year of plain packaging, from 15.1 per cent in 2010 was cited as grounds for quick action to protect public health, the newspaper said on its website. The New Zealand measure was put on hold after the government said it would await the outcome of complaints against the Australian law filed with the World Trade Organisation and Permanent Court of Arbitration.

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga was cited in the article saying the government continues to support plain packaging, but has not changed its position on awaiting the outcome of legal challenges.

Australia remains the only country with a plain-pack law. The Irish parliament this week approved a plain packaging bill and the UK government has promised a parliamentary vote on its proposal in March.

Ireland shows the way with plain packaging tobacco law

Feb 28th, 2015

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http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1502/S00380/ireland-shows-the-way-with-plain-packaging-tobacco-law.htm

Ireland shows the way with plain packaging tobacco law

The Māori Party congratulates the Irish Government for passing plain packaging tobacco legislation this week.

“Good on Ireland for showing political nerve in the face of a powerful tobacco industry.

“The Māori Party is determined to see plain packaging legislation here in New Zealand progress through Parliament, sooner rather than later”, says Māori Party Co-leader Marama Fox.

Former Associate Health Minister and Māori Party Co-leader, Dame Hon Tariana Turia, introduced the plain packaging bill to Parliament more than two years ago.

Māori Party Co-leader Hon Te Ururoa Flavell doesn’t buy the reason for the Government stalling on progressing the plain packaging bill. The Health Select Committee reported favourably on the bill in August last year.

“Waiting for the World Trade Organisation decision means more people die or are sick from smoking-related illnesses. We’re tired of standing at the graveside of loved ones who have had their lives cut short from this highly addictive and poisonous drug”, says Mr Flavell.

According to the Ministry of Health, around 5000 individuals die each year from smoking or second-hand exposure. That’s 13 deaths every day which affect thousands of whānau.

“All it takes is courage and the same resolve that Tariana had to halt the decline in health and indeed the avoidable deaths of too many of our people who get caught in the smoking trap,” says Mr Flavell.

The Māori Party co-leaders will be encouraging the Associate Health Minister Hon Sam Peseta Lotu-iga to lead on this bill and implement other tobacco controls so the Government stays on track with its target of Smokefree Aotearoa by 2025.

Next month Dame Hon Tariana Turia will receive the Luther L Terry Award in Dubai for her leadership in worldwide tobacco reform.

“We’re extremely proud of her advocacy which has saved the lives of thousands of New Zealanders. The best way to honour her is to pass this plain packaging bill and keep the pressure on,” says Mrs Fox.

Challenge to NZ after 10 years of global tobacco control

Feb 27th, 2015

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http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1502/S00086/challenge-to-nz-after-10-years-of-global-tobacco-control.htm

Smokefree Coalition challenges New Zealand after 10 years of global tobacco control

Smokefree Coalition media release,

Embargoed until 12am, 27 February 2015

The Smokefree Coalition wants New Zealanders everywhere to mark the tenth anniversary of an international tobacco control treaty by striking a blow against Big Tobacco.

Today is the 10 year anniversary of the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the first global public health treaty. New Zealand was among the first nations to ratify the treaty, which today has 180 Parties.

“Targeting tobacco first was no accident. The world knew that, without collaborative worldwide action, it faced one billion deaths from tobacco consumption in the 21st century,” says Smokefree Coalition Executive Director Dr Prudence Stone.

“If tobacco was introduced to the market today, it would swiftly be outlawed like many other psychoactive substances have been. But unfortunately, it was introduced long before its fatal effects were known. Now, despite a mountain of evidence condemning it as a killer, we are faced with an industry-promulgated health problem that caring governments everywhere must try to regulate and control.”

The Smokefree Coalition calls on the New Zealand public to support the Government’s commitment to make our country smokefree by 2025, by condemning the tobacco industry, particularly in the eyes of their children. It asks for adults who smoke to shield their children from exposure, and to encourage them to mistrust tobacco company messages and marketing, which are targeted toward their children starting smoking.

“Half of smokers’ lives are cut short by smoking. The industry needs new customers if they are to stay in business. Children do what adults model, so we call on adults everywhere to model responsible and protective smokefree behaviour.”

Dr Stone says New Zealand was once seen as the global leader in tobacco control when the FCTC was first ratified.

“Our Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act banned smoking in all workplaces and now requires graphic warning labels on tobacco packaging. Until 2016 tobacco excise tax will increase annually, forcing the tobacco industry to price its products beyond what youngsters can afford. Retailers must now hide tobacco products from display, and at New Zealand’s border the duty-free allowance for tobacco has been drastically reduced.”

But Dr Stone is concerned that New Zealand’s lead is slipping. Australia legislated plain packaging of tobacco products in 2012. Ireland, England and even the Solomon Islands are following suit, while New Zealand is stalled in fear of Big Tobacco’s threats of litigation.

Scotland, Wales and England have announced brave plans to ban smoking in cars carrying children, while our own Government seems content with health promotion appeals.

Above all, New Zealand remains without a solid Government strategy toward its Smokefree 2025 goal.

The Smokefree Coalition says 27 February is an ideal moment for New Zealanders to reflect and for the Government to pat itself on the back for some great achievements since ratifying the FCTC 10 short years ago. But it asks whether, in 10 more short years, we will have achieved our goal of being the first smokefree nation in the world.

“Without regaining our world leadership and finding the courage for needed legislation changes, New Zealand risks losing the endgame to Big Tobacco,” says Dr Stone.

“And the loss will be measured in real lives and quality of lives among our family members and friends.”

Observational study of the visibility of branded tobacco packaging and smoking at outdoor bars/cafes in Wellington, New Zealand

Oct 17th, 2014

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25331309

Abstract

AIM:

To collect data on tobacco brand visibility on packaging on outdoor tables at bars/cafes in a downtown area, prior to a proposed plain packaging law.

METHOD:

The study was conducted in the Central Business District of Wellington City in March 2014. Observational data were systematically collected on tobacco packaging visibility and smoking by patrons at 55 bars/cafes with outdoor tables.

RESULTS:

A total of 19,189 patrons, 1707 tobacco packs and 1357 active smokers were observed. One tobacco pack was visible per 11.0 patrons and the active smoking prevalence was 7.1% (95%CI: 4.9-9.2%), similar to Australian results (8.3%). Eighty percent of packs were positioned face-up (showing the brand), 8% face-down (showing the large pictorial warning), and 12% in other positions. Pack visibility per patron was significantly greater in areas without child patrons (RR=3.1, p<0.0001). Both smoking and pack visibility tended to increase from noon into the evenings on weekends. Inter-observer reliability for key measures in this study was high (Bland-Altman plots).

CONCLUSION:

Tobacco branding on packaging was frequently visible because of the way smokers position their packs. These results highlight the residual problem posed by this form of marketing. The results also provide baseline data for the future evaluation of plain packaging if a proposed law is implemented in New Zealand. Other results warrant further research, particularly the reasons for lower pack visibility and smoking when children were present.