14 Dec 2020

Has government dropped the ball on Smokefree 2025?

From Nine To Noon, 9:41 am on 14 December 2020
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Photo: 123RF

Emeritus Professor and Chair of Action for Smokefree 2025 (ASH) Robert Beaglehole tells Kathryn Ryan the government is in danger of missing the goal of New Zealand becoming smokefree within five years, and that unless the new Minister responsible acts now, communities and health services will suffer.  In March 2011 the then National Government adopted the Smokefree 2025 goal for New Zealand, in response to recommendations from a select committee - that fewer than 5% of adults should be smoking cigarettes by 2025. In 2015 an action plan was formed by public health experts and community groups in the tobacco control sector. In 2018 the Ministry of Health said it was developing a draft action plan.  Robert Beaglehole says work just needs to start.