New Zealand - massive push to get smokers to quit..




New Zealand - phase out tobacco sales over the next decade..




January 3, 2011 - The New Year has begun with massive push to get more Kiwis to give up smoking. The price of a pack of cigarettes increased 10% today, with the Public Health Association (PHA) believing today's increase in tobacco tax will see more people quit smoking this year. National executive officer Gay Keating says the tax rise will make many people who have made New Year resolutions to stop smoking, more determined to stop.

The last tax increase in April 2010 almost doubled the numbers of callers registering with Quitline and over two-thirds of callers interviewed said that the tax increase was one of their reasons to quit. The tax will see tobacco prices rise in total by 28 to 40 percent by next year - that is on top of inflation and GST (goods and services tax). From today, January 1st the cheapest packet of 20 cigarettes will cost around $12.20 meaning that if somebody quits smoking in January, they will save around $4,500 a year. (New Zealand - price goes up number of smokers goes down..)

The New Zealand Parliament passed a law Wednesday, April 28th to raise the excise tax on cigarettes and tobacco over each of the next three years, which at the end of that period, is expected to increase revenue by NZ$205 million (149,076,006 USD) annually. (New Zealand - increase in tobacco excise forced through Parliament by the Government..)
The PHA believes 2010 was a banner year in the journey towards a smokefree New Zealand, with increases in taxes on tobacco, and the release of the Maori Affairs Select Committee report on Maori smoking and the tobacco industry.

VIDEO - Extra incentive to give up smoking (2:28)..

"In 2011, we look forward to the government addressing the Maori Affairs Select Committee's recommendations, most of which will benefit all New Zealanders. These include more support for quit smoking services for Maori women and young Maori," Dr Keating said.

The PHA also wants to see tobacco displays removed from dairies and other retail outlets this year. (New Zealand - cigarette display ban passes first reading..)

Smoking related deaths killed 13 Kiwis (a New Zealander) every day and around 1 in 5 smoke cigarettes.

Reference: Massive New Year's push to give up smoking, TVNZ.co.nz, 1/1/2011.

New Zealand related news briefs:
New Zealand - cigarette display ban passes first reading..;
New Zealand - price goes up number of smokers goes down..;
New Zealand - Māori Affairs Committee Report released - November 2010..;
New Zealand - non-smokers offered incentives to test cigarettes..;
New Zealand - phase out tobacco sales over the next decade..;
New Zealand - Scandinavian Tobacco granted clearance to merge its cigar and pipe tobacco businesses with Swedish Match..;
New Zealand - tobacco industry whistleblower addresses the Maori select committee..;
New Zealand - a third of patients seeking treatment in the ED were smokers..;
New Zealand - the majority of New Zealanders support an end to commercial tobacco sales by 2020 - can it happen??;
New Zealand - study revives interest in keeping tobacco hidden..;
New Zealand - health board says no to psychiatric hospital smoking ban..;
New Zealand - report on illicit trade and options to control growth of illicit trade..;
New Zealand - ASH Year 10 Snapshot Survey - Dramatic youth smoking decline..;
New Zealand - plain cigarette and tobacco packs could turn teenagers off smoking..;
New Zealand - Tobacco companies target women..;
New Zealand - lobby group of small retailers formed to protest tobacco price hike..;
New Zealand - more than half of the people want to end tobacco sales by 2020..;
New Zealand - revenue department has begun a review of BAT financial transactions..;
New Zealand - increase in tobacco excise forced through Parliament by the Government..;
New Zealand - Christchurch prepares for meeting with tobacco select committee..;
New Zealand - biggest drop in smoking rates seen in a decade..;
New Zealand - Maori affairs committee continues to gather information..;
New Zealand - study quit-smoking products that are acceptabe and effective..;
New Zealand - smoking ban results in decrease in heart attacks..;
New Zealand - BAT attends Maori Affairs select committee meeting on tobacco..;
New Zealanders want cigarettes banned by 2020..;
New Zealand - Maori women - almost 50% smoke..;
New Zealand - more and more teenagers turned off by smoking..;
New Zealand - loophole in the law banning tobacco sponsorship..;
New Zealand - University of Auckland to go smokefree - 1st university in country..;
New Zealand - smoking ban in bars results in less smoking at home..;
New Zealand - study, tobacco displays leads to increase in youth smoking..;
New Zealand - graphic warnings cigarette maker selects less offensive images..;
New Zealand - Maori committee to investigate smoking..;
New Zealand - Tairawhiti Board wants tobacco sold only on prescription..;
New Zealand - health researchers calling on government to ban importation of tobacco..;
New Zealand - 1st trial ever of e-cigarettes..;
New Zealand - BAT reducing prices discouraging people from quitting..;
New Zealand - stop smoking campaigns NOT working..;
BAT awarded worst corporation in New Zealand..;
New Zealand - government may NOT support tobacco display bans..;
New Zealand More Evidence Needed to Ban Tobacco and Cigarette Displays..;
More evidence - tobacco displays increase the risk of teens smoking..;
Horror photos go on New Zealand cigarette packs..;
Country to Eliminate Smoking - The South Pacific nation of Niue;
Ireland to ban tobacco displays..;
Smokefree NZ within 10 years..;
By law, oral snuff cannot (but nasal snuff is allowed) be sold in New Zealand and can be imported only for personal use..

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