Smokefree Repeal Must Get Parliamentary Scrutiny

Today, Health Coalition Aotearoa (HCA), the Council of
Medical Colleges in New Zealand (CMC), and Te Ohu Rata O
Aotearoa – Māori Medical Practitioners Association are
calling on the Government not to repeal the Smokefree
Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco)
Amendment Act 2022 under urgency and to send the Bill to the
health select committee.

The groups have written to
the Prime Minister, Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti,
Minister of Māori Development Tama Potaka and chair of the
Health Select Committee, National MP Sam Uffindell to
formally make this request.

The repeal of the Act is
among 49 actions in the Government’s 100-day
plan.

“This repeal would have a significant and
negative impact on the health and wellbeing of New
Zealanders, both now and in the future, and will undo years
of policy development including wide consultation and expert
advice,” HCA co-chair, Professor Boyd Swinburn
said.

“The roll-back of these measures was not
National Party policy and was not subject to debate during
the election campaign. Given the gravity of the potential
health outcomes, it should be subject to public and expert
scrutiny as part of normal Parliamentary process.”

It
will also allow Māori communities to have their say on the
repeal – which would have the greatest impact on iwi, hapu
and whānau.

“We call on Prime Minister Luxon to rule
out the use of urgency on the Smokefree Amendment Act and
allow the select committee to hear from impacted communities
and public health experts,” CMC Chair Dr Samantha Murton
said.

Notes for Editors:

Health Coalition
Aotearoa is a coalition of 45 NGO member organisations and
75 individuals supported by expert advisory panels
advocating to advance health equity and reduce the harms of
tobacco, vaping, alcohol and unhealthy food.

Council
of Medical Colleges in New Zealand: CMC represents seventeen
medical colleges who provide support to over 9000 medical
practitioners working in a range of 34 specialties in the
Aotearoa New Zealand health system. Medical colleges are
educational bodies responsible for the training, examination
and recertification of medical practitioners in specific
medical disciplines. This statement reflects the majority
view of the colleges.

Te Ohu Rata O Aotearoa – Māori
Medical Practitioners Association represents the majority of
Māori medical students and doctors working as clinicians,
researchers and
teachers.

© Scoop Media