31 May 06   FULL PRINTABLE VERSION: ON FILE AT www.endsmoking.org.nz/media31May06.pdf

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SmokeLess supports Harawira's "My people are dying" call to end tobacco sales

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SmokeLess New Zealand, a charitable trust of health professionals, supports Mr Harawira's call to end sales of cigarettes and smoking tobacco.

Mr Harawira has a just cause, as smoking kills one in three Maori, says chair Dr Murray Laugesen. A ban on cigarette sales would save 4000 lives, and $22 billion annually.

SmokeLess New Zealand calls on the government and political parties to regard the Maori Party's wake-up and shake-up call, as feasible and achievable. This requires across-party agreement to make cigarettes less attractive, and provide satisfying nicotine alternatives for addicted smokers.

With alternatives in place for addicts, phasing out cigarettes and smoking tobacco sales is feasible in the next five to ten years, Dr Laugesen said. The SmokeLess website http://www.endsmoking.org.nz/ describes a smorgasbord of policy steps to make it a reality.

End Smoking NZ trustees base their policies on over 50 years experience in national tobacco and drug policy.

End Smoking NZlooks forward to Mr Harawira's bill winning the ballot, and being sent to Select Committee, where all stakeholders can have their say.

Dr Murray Laugesen QSO chair; Prof Ross McCormick, Sir John Scott KBE, Trish Fraser MPH, Dr Marewa Glover, Trustees

Making it easier to quit smoking for good © 2009 End Smoking NZ