Public health experts challenge New Zealand Associate Health Minister over tobacco control decisions

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In New Zealand the Associate Health Minister has been reprimanded by the Chief Ombudsman for “her handling of a mystery document containing tobacco-industry friendly ideas, which she passed to health officials to develop policy.” according to Radio New Zealand (RNZ).

Public health experts in the country had earlier published a briefing criticising Costello’s actions relating to the document, and her cutting of excise tax on Heated Tobacco Products, saying that Costello “adopted industry arguments ahead of advice tendered by her Ministry”. The public health briefing went on to criticise the proposed deregulation of oral nicotine products and the current government’s repeal of the Smokefree 2025 policy, an ambitious piece of tobacco endgame legislation introduced by the previous government.

In August RNZ also reported on a leaked 2017 Philip Morris New Zealand (PMNZ) corporate affairs document which laid out PMNZ’s plan to lobby politicians and build public support for a more favourable regulatory environment for HTP’s and other PMNZ products.

Read more:

The tobacco industry language that found its way into ministerial papers – RNZ

Mind the gap: Associate Health Minister’s actions conflict with Ministry advice, align with tobacco industry lobbying – Public Health Communications Centre Aotearoa

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