Māori Affairs Select Committee: Inquiry into the tobacco industry in Aotearoa and the consequences of tobacco use for Māori
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Report
The Māori Affairs Select Committee finalised and released the Report on 3rd November 2010. The Report will be debated in the House on the 8th December 2010.
The Report is a comprehensive report that covers:
Goal: Smokefree New Zealand 2025We recommend to the Government that it aim for tobacco consumption and smoking prevalence to be halved by 2015 across all demographics, followed by a longer-term goal of making New Zealand a smokefree nation by 2025.
Holding the tobacco industry accountableWe strongly believe that innovations in tobacco control should place financial, ethical, and legal pressure primarily on the tobacco industry.
We recommend to the Government that it consider initiating a counter-marketing campaign to de-normalise the tobacco industry and tobacco products, to better inform all New Zealanders of past and ongoing industry practices and strategies.
Reducing the availability of tobaccoWe recommend to the Government that it investigate further options for measures to reduce the supply of tobacco into New Zealand, taking into account trade and other implications, with a view to reducing the availability of tobacco in New Zealand over time.
We recommend to the Government that it consider annually reducing the amount of imported tobacco, the number and quantity of tobacco products for sale at each outlet, and the number of retail outlets.
Plain packagingWe recommend to the Government that the tobacco industry be required to provide tobacco products exclusively in plain packaging.
Māori and pregnant womenWe recommend to the Government that the success of smokefree campaigns be recognised, and that it continue to market to groups with high smoking rates, particularly Māori, and pregnant women.
We recommend to the Government that it extend the range and reach of services for priority populations, particularly Māori women.
Tobacco taxWe recommend that the Government legislate for further incremental tax increases over and above the annual adjustment for inflation.
Updating the tobacco control strategy and structureWe recommend to the Government that a tobacco control strategy and action plan be established, with a strong emphasis on Māori-focused outcomes.
Kaupapa MāoriWe recommend to the Government that it include Māori in all tobacco control planning and policy development groups.
WAI844We recommend to the Government that the WAI844 claim lodged with the Waitangi Tribunal, which asks for "funding for Māori health initiatives to eliminate or reduce smoking among Māori: be progressed as soon as practicable.
It is amazing to see the completion of a major Māori initiated Inquiry and Report. It was with some relief to get things to this point in the process. Of course the next stage will be to call for legislation that will move towards a Tupeka Kore Nation.
Purpose of the Inquiry
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of the actions of the tobacco industry to promote tobacco use amongst Māori, and
- Understand the impact of tobacco use on the health, economic, social, cultural and developmental impacts on Māori
- Policy and legislative measures to address the findings.
Terms of Reference
- The historical actions of the tobacco industry to promote tobacco use amongst Māori.
- The impact of tobacco use on the health, economic, social and cultural well-being of Māori.
- The impact of tobacco use on Māori development aspirations and opportunities.
- What benefits may have accrued to Māori from tobacco use?
- What policy and legislative measures would be necessary to address the findings of the Inquiry?