Latest news with #Bullen
Kiwiblog
5 days ago
- Health
- Kiwiblog
So much wrong in one article
Radio NZ reports: More than 80,000 Kiwis must quit smoking before the end of the year to meet the goal of Smokefree 2025, which was launched 14 years ago. But Professor of Public Health Chris Bullen tells The Detail that it is unlikely to happen – 'I don't believe so, sadly. 'The evidence suggests we are not heading in the right direction fast enough,' says Bullen, who is also the director of the National Institute for Health Innovation. 'We have got more work to do in 2026 and beyond.' The smokefree goal aims to have less than 5 percent of the population smoking by December, but the latest data reveals there are still about 300,000 daily smokers across the country. The daily smoking rate has dropped from 16.4% to 6.9% since 2011, which is a huge reduction. It is correct that it is unlikely to drop 1.9% in one year, as those remaining are a small but persistent hardcore. Bullen says part of the issue is, last year, the coalition government repealed three areas of the Smokefree law, most importantly the denicotinisation of tobacco products (where the nicotine is basically taken out of cigarettes) and banning the sale of tobacco products to those born after 1 January 2009. 'I think we could have gotten to the goal under the previous legislation, but that was repealed by the current government. This is just nonsense, and we know it is because look at when these provisions were to come into force. The ban (which would not have worked) to those born after 1 January 2009 would not take effect until 2027, so claiming it would help you make a 2025 target is embarrassing. A tobacco industry-funded report has just revealed that 25 percent of cigarettes sold in New Zealand are from the black market, smuggled into the country, largely from China and South Korea, and available on Facebook Marketplace, at construction sites, and in some dairies. Black market cigarettes are about half the price of legal packets, which can cost up to $45. But Bullen is not convinced the percentage of illegal sales is as high as reported. He says it is more likely around the 10-15 percent mark. He believes the tobacco industry inflates the number – and the problem – to 'encourage the government to ease up on being tough on their product'. Here Professor Bullen has an opinion that the black market is not as high as as reported, but with not any proof or data to back his view. One source of data is government excise revenue on tobacco. For the year to March 2025 it was $1.49b and in March 2023 it was $1.81b. So it has dropped 18% despite the rate going up and no reported change in smoking rates in this period. New research, which overlays vape stores on school locations, shows 44 percent of schools have a vape store within a one-kilometre radius This old chestnut. There is almost no area in urban New Zealand that is not within a 1 kms radius of a school. That is a 314 hectare circle. We have 2,500 schools. Since 2020, it has been illegal to sell vapes to people under 18, but students as young as 10 and 11 are vaping across New Zealand today. Yet he is convinced prohibition works!
Newsroom
13-05-2025
- Health
- Newsroom
Smokefree 2025 goal all but up in smoke
More than 80,000 Kiwis must quit smoking before the end of the year to meet the goal of Smokefree 2025, which was launched 14 years ago. But Professor of Public Health Chris Bullen tells The Detail it is unlikely to happen – 'I don't believe so, sadly'. 'The evidence suggests we are not heading in the right direction fast enough,' says Bullen, who is also the director of the National Institute for Health Innovation. 'We have got more work to do in 2026 and beyond.' The smokefree goal aims to have less than 5 percent of the population smoking by December, but the latest data reveals there are still about 300,000 daily smokers across the country. Bullen says part of the issue is, last year, the coalition government repealed three areas of the Smokefree law, most importantly the de-nicotinisation of tobacco products (where the nicotine is basically taken out of cigarettes) and banning the sale of tobacco products to those born after January 1, 2009. 'I think we could have gotten to the goal under the previous legislation, but that was repealed by the current Government. 'The lack of policies to support and motivate more people to think about quitting means there's an awful lot of effort on the ground that's got to go on to get 84, 85 thousand people to quit smoking between now and the end of the year and I just don't see it happening fast enough.' He says the denicotinisation strategy needs to be revisited, and a smoke-free generation approach needs to be adopted to encourage young people not to start smoking. 'Other countries picked up the baton when we dropped it, and I think that would lock in the very low levels of smoking in our young people, forever, and this would be a real boost for their future prospects.' The Detail also speaks to Bullen about illegal tobacco and vaping, and the role they play in Smokefree Aotearoa. A tobacco industry-funded report shows that 25 percent of cigarettes sold in New Zealand are from the black market, smuggled into the country, largely from China and South Korea, and available on Facebook Marketplace, at construction sites, and in some dairies. Black market cigarettes are about half the price of legal packets, which can cost up to $45. But Bullen is not convinced the percentage of illegal sales is as high as reported. He says it's more likely around the 10 to 15 percent mark. He believes the tobacco industry inflates the number – and the problem – to 'encourage the Government to ease up on being tough on their product'. 'Regardless, whatever kind of tobacco it is, it's dangerous,' says Bullen. Another growing addiction for New Zealanders is vaping, and new research from Auckland University has revealed almost half of schools across the country have a specialist vape store within a 10-minute walk, despite recent legislation aimed at preventing this. New research, which overlays vape stores on school locations, shows 44 percent of schools have a vape store within a 1km radius and 13 percent have a dedicated store within 300m. 'That means a lot of our young people are getting multiple exposures daily to vape stores and vape marketing,' he says. 'We know that association with visibility is important in normalising and making these products more acceptable. 'It's not good enough; we need to get tougher on the vast number of vape stores we have, they are way too accessible in New Zealand. 'We should continue to demand that the Government restrict the general vaping retailers. We don't need as many.' Since 2020, it has been illegal to sell vapes to people under 18, but students as young as 10 and 11 are vaping across New Zealand today. 'Probably, these young kids are getting them from their siblings, or from friends on the school ground who are operating like drug dealers, if you like – they are distributors. 'And they are getting them from their favourite store or on the internet, where you just click a box to say you are 18 or over, and bingo, and you have a delivery on its way, if you can hide that from your parents.' Bullen says across the board, more work has to be done with smoking, illegal cigarettes, and vaping in New Zealand. 'The sooner we can control tobacco, the better; then we have these other issues to work on. It's a bit like whack-a-mole, you just get on top of one thing, and another thing pops up.' Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here. You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter.
Business Insider
12-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Analysts Offer Insights on Technology Companies: Silex Systems Limited (OtherSILXF) and Panasonic (OtherPCRFF)
There's a lot to be optimistic about in the Technology sector as 2 analysts just weighed in on Silex Systems Limited (SILXF – Research Report) and Panasonic (PCRFF – Research Report) with bullish sentiments. Protect Your Portfolio Against Market Uncertainty Discover companies with rock-solid fundamentals in TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter. Receive undervalued stocks, resilient to market uncertainty, delivered straight to your inbox. Silex Systems Limited (SILXF) Canaccord Genuity analyst James Bullen maintained a Buy rating on Silex Systems Limited on May 6 and set a price target of A$6.46. The company's shares closed last Friday at $1.93. According to Bullen is a 1-star analyst with an average return of -3.8% and a 39.7% success rate. Bullen covers the NA sector, focusing on stocks such as Deep Yellow Limited, Paladin Energy Ltd, and Amplitude Energy. Currently, the analyst consensus on Silex Systems Limited is a Moderate Buy with an average price target of $4.16, an 110.1% upside from current levels. In a report issued on May 7, Shaw and Partners also maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a A$6.50 price target. Panasonic (PCRFF) Jefferies analyst Atul Goyal maintained a Buy rating on Panasonic today and set a price target of Yen2193.00. The company's shares closed last Friday at $12.32, close to its 52-week high of $12.76. Panasonic has an analyst consensus of Strong Buy, with a price target consensus of $15.76.
Scoop
08-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
New Bill A Vital Step Towards Tobacco-Free Future In Aotearoa
Health Coalition Aotearoa strongly supports Dr Ayesha Verrall's new Tobacco Transparency Bill, launched this week, which - if supported by a majority of MPs - will help protect public health policy from tobacco industry interference and honour New Zealand's international commitments. This landmark legislation gives real force to Article 5.3 of the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control-an agreement New Zealand signed over two decades ago but has never been properly embedded into law. "The tobacco industry thrives in the shadows. This Bill brings in sunlight," said Professor Chris Bullen of Health Coalition Aotearoa. "It sets clear rules for how government agencies and officials must engage with tobacco companies and helps close the door to backroom lobbying." The Bill would amend the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act to: Prohibit the Government from supporting or endorsing the interests of the tobacco industry Require the Prime Minister to issue guidance to Ministers on their interactions with tobacco industry players Direct the Minister of Health to provide similar guidance to public servants Require the Public Service Commissioner to issue conduct standards for officials Impose a six-month stand-down period before officials involved in tobacco policy can work for the industry. Crucially, the Bill also compels the tobacco industry to report on lobbying, marketing, sponsorships, hospitality, donations, social media deals, and corporate philanthropy-practices it has long used to undermine health laws. "This is world-leading transparency," said Professor Bullen. "No other country has gone this far in requiring the tobacco industry to declare how it seeks to influence decision-makers. That alone will help deter interference." Aotearoa New Zealand's tobacco control policy has come under increasing attack in recent months, with life-saving legislation repealed and no safeguards in place to stop it. This Bill promises to change that. If supported, it will ensure all public servants understand their obligations under international law, and it opens the door to extending protections to cover emerging nicotine industries as well. "New Zealand once led the world with its Smokefree 2025 goal," Professor Bullen. "This Bill would put us back on track. It's a hopeful step forward-one that puts people's health ahead of industry profits."
Business Upturn
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
A Retired Lawyer Faces His Past and the Dark Side of Americana in This Trump-era Literary Novel
By GlobeNewswire Published on May 6, 2025, 22:00 IST Charleston, SC, May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — When a retired lawyer relocates to a small town in western Massachusetts, he seeks only peace and quiet. But as he settles into his new life, he learns that the community he hopes to call home is embroiled in anti-government sentiment fueled by a local gun club. His efforts to lead a tranquil life are met with powerful opposition when aspects of his past resurface: a former client and mafia underling attempts to strongarm him into a money-laundering scheme; his ex-wife, an art gallery owner in Boston, attempts to reenter his life; his daughters, struggling with their higher education pursuits, are estranged. As his past comes crashing down, the world before him erupts into chaos and a real-life reenactment of Shays' Rebellion. Through it all the protagonist finds comfort in the poetry of Robert Frost, a lens through which he interprets his isolation and disconnection. As his sense of alienation grows, he must confront questions of identity and life's meaning. The book features thrilling sequences, philosophical reflections, and more than a few darkly comedic laughs. In Hilldale takes readers on a gripping journey through times and places close to the hearts of New Englanders. Rich with Americana and set against the backdrop of the Trump era, Bullen's narrative blends themes of political upheaval and family turmoil with poignant reflections on personal identity and the pursuit of solace. With richly drawn characters and unpredictable twists the novel captures the tension between chaos and order, stability and revolution, individualism and the pull of the past. In Hilldale is available for purchase online at and About the Author Bruce Bullen is the author of Under the Dome , a collection of short narratives about government. Several short stories of his have appeared in literary journals. In Hilldale is his debut novel. Bullen is a retired health care executive who lives in Massachusetts. He shares his life with his wife, Maria, their three adult children, and five grandchildren. Media Contact: Bruce Bullen Email: [email protected] Available for interviews: Author, Bruce Bullen Attachment Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. GlobeNewswire provides press release distribution services globally, with substantial operations in North America and Europe.
