28 Nov 2023

College of Public Health Medicine on repealing Smokefree 2025 legislation

From Morning Report, 6:44 am on 28 November 2023

The College of Public Health Medicine is adding its voice to the condemnation of the new government's controversial plans to repeal smokefree legislation to fund tax cuts.

New Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has said his coalition government is committed to reducing tobacco-use through education and encouraging smokers to start vaping, but says the goal to achieve Smokefree 2025 is not workable.

The president of the College Sir Collin Tukuitonga says smoking is the single biggest commercial risk factor for preventable disease and premature death in Aotearoa and is responsible for almost ten percent of all health loss.

Tukuitonga spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.