Like many New Zealanders, I was gravely concerned to see that the new National-led Government is planning to repeal our smokefree laws – meaning plans to make tobacco less available and addictive will be scrapped.
It will also end our hope for a smokefree generation.
Shockingly, the new Government has confessed that the revenue from repealing our smokefree laws would help them fund tax cuts. What this says is that they are okay with an increased number of people smoking to pay for a political promise we knew didn’t add up.
Successive governments, both National and Labour-led, have worked to decrease the number of people smoking. It’s shameful that after decades of progress towards being smokefree, the new Coalition Government is sending New Zealand backwards. This decision will cause so much misery, thousands of deaths and billions in health care costs in the coming decades.
I was proud of the work that Labour did in government to guarantee a healthier, smokefree future for the next generation of New Zealanders.
Last year, we passed a law that accelerated this progress with three big changes – reducing the amount of nicotine that is allowed in smoked tobacco products, decreasing the numbers of retailers that sell tobacco and making sure tobacco isn’t sold at all to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.
Because of these changes, thousands of people will live longer, healthier lives and the health system will be $5 billion better off from not needing to treat the illnesses caused by smoking, such as numerous types of cancer, heart attacks, strokes, amputations. Now, this progress is being put at risk.
I have heard from so many doctors, nurses, parents, students and teachers who want to fight to retain our smokefree future. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in New Zealand, and I think the new Government has underestimated how strongly people feel about this.
There have also been several damning international news headlines, shocked that New Zealand would go back on the world-first move to have a smokefree generation. If Kiwis’ health and wellbeing going backwards isn’t enough, then it should worry the new Government that our international reputation is taking a hit as well.
There’s still time for the Government to rethink this decision and I would encourage anyone concerned to write to the new Prime Minister Christopher Luxon or Health Minister Shane Reti, to make your voice heard. There are also petitions to sign and share and conversations to have with your family and friends to build awareness.
With the start this Government has had, it’s clear how important Labour’s role in Opposition will be. We’ve already seen a lack of moral compass in their approach. As your MP for Mount Albert, I will continue to hold the Government to account and stand against policies that hurt people and families here in our community.
I have been loving reaching out to the community as the local MP. Highlights so far have included celebrating with Alberton as it reached 50 years of being open, the Gribblehirst Community Hub Summer Festival, the Crave street party and regularly going to the Grey Lynn farmers market.
I also met with the small businesses at the Grey Lynn Business Association, who are considering becoming a Business Improvement District. BIDs are very effective in supporting small businesses, including by tailoring security.
Thanks to Mayor Brown for coming to support this idea and giving very pragmatic advice based on his own experience in Ōtāhuhu of setting up a BID. (HELEN WHITE)
As always, please feel free to get in touch with me and my team if there’s anything you would like to chat about: helen.white@parliament.govt.nz
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February 2024