30 November 2023

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) urges the new coalition Government to abandon its plans to repeal the amendments and regulations of the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990.

The regulations in the Act, including de-nicotisation of cigarettes, a reduction in retailers and banning cigarettes for the next generation, were put in place to protect Aotearoa New Zealanders from chronic illness caused by tobacco and smoking.

As stated in its submission to Parliament’s Health Committee, the College supports full implementation of these laws, with Māori leadership.

RACP Aotearoa New Zealand (AoNZ) President Dr Stephen Inns says “the decision to repeal this legislation is extremely disappointing and a backwards step.”

“We call on the Government to realise the value of population-level policies and reconsider plans to repeal this world-leading and transformative legislation.

“These laws would have created a smokefree generation protected from tobacco-caused cancers and other serious illnesses.

“Repealing them will worsen the health of many in our community and could even cost lives.

“These laws also offered potentially profound health benefits for people of all ages and future generations, especially Māori who continue to face health inequities.

“Evidence supports the benefits of smokefree laws, and the Coalition’s plan to repeal them is not based on the health and wellbeing of our people.

“It is profoundly disappointing that the progress made to improve lives and create healthy, smokefree generations will be swiftly undone.

“While we are looking to reverse our own flagship policy, countries like the UK and Canada are moving ahead with plans to implement smokefree policies. Repealing our laws positions Aotearoa New Zealand as a lost opportunity to lead the world in this reform,” says Dr Inns.