Foodstuffs NZ and Z Energy Lobby for Eased Tobacco Sales Restrictions

Foodstuffs NZ and Z Energy are lobbying the government to drop immediate restrictions on the number of retailers who can sell tobacco products in an amendment to what is considered to be world-leading smoking legislation.

However, the Cancer Society of New Zealand has stated that maintaining thousands of tobacco retailers nationwide will significantly hinder New Zealand's smoke-free 2025 goal.

The Health Committee heard public opinions on the proposed bill today, which means individuals aged 14 and below will never be able to legally purchase tobacco products and there will be a significant reduction in nicotine levels.

The number of teenagers using e-cigarettes daily has tripled, while smoking continues to persist. Health surveys indicate a decrease in smoking, paving the way for the historic Smoke-Free Generation 2025 Act, which will ban those under the age of 14 from smoking.

Although Z Energy and Foodstuffs (owners of New World, Pak'nSave, Four Square and Liquorland) support the intention of the bill, representatives of both companies are advocating for the removal of restrictions on tobacco retailers.

The proposed legislation suggests that the Director-General of Health will set a "single current maximum quantity or a range of reduced maximum quantities" to be approved for retailers in a particular region.

According to a cabinet document on the Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 action plan, modellers used an estimated 95% reduction of the approximately 8,000 retailers, but noted that the final number would need to take into account differences in rural and urban areas. Foodstuffs Government Relations General Manager Melissa Hodd told the committee that she supported the review of retailers selling tobacco products, but did not want to see a limitation on the number of retailers.

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