The National Government has put the profits of tobacco companies ahead of New Zealanders’ health and now the world can see it.

“Christopher Luxon’s Government has rolled over for the tobacco industry, and it shows how badly in a new report released today,” Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said.

Since National took office, New Zealand has crashed from 2nd to 53rd on the Tobacco Industry Interference Index – a ranking that measures how well countries protect their health policies from tobacco lobbying. 

“From handing a $300 million tax break to a tobacco company, to scrapping laws that would have created a smokefree generation, National has put tobacco profits ahead of New Zealanders’ health.

“Smoking rates are rising again for the first time in over a decade. That’s no coincidence.

“Earlier this year, I lodged a members’ bill to expose and block tobacco lobbying.

“Tobacco companies have a long history of weakening health policies to protect their bottom line. Christopher Luxon’s weak leadership means they’ve had the opportunity to do that at the expense of New Zealander’s health.  

“New Zealand signed up to an international pledge to keep health policy free from tobacco company interests over two decades ago. My bill makes sure we get back to honouring that,” Ayesha Verrall said.