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Otago Daily Times
27-05-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Tobacco industry playbook mirrored: research
New research shows coalition government MPs "closely mirrored the tobacco industry's playbook" to back their decision to repeal New Zealand's world-leading smokefree laws. University of Otago Aspire Aotearoa co-director Prof Janet Hoek said the sudden repeal of the law showed how quickly progress could be undone when politicians ignored evidence, public opinion and expert advice. She and fellow Otago researchers released a new Public Health Communication Centre briefing yesterday, showing an analysis of arguments made by the government during the rushed February 2024 repeal of the smokefree "endgame" laws. The laws would have reduced nicotine in cigarettes to non-addictive levels, drastically cut the number of tobacco retailers, and created a smokefree generation by ending cigarette sales to people born after 2009. Prof Hoek said the repeal went against the best available evidence, against the advice of the Ministry of Health and against what most New Zealanders wanted. Researchers recently reviewed the verbatim Hansard record which showed what politicians said in the House of Representatives. They compared the contents with the Policy Dystopia Model, a framework that outlines argumentative strategies that tobacco companies use to oppose policies that restrict their marketing. "Many government arguments lacked evidence and closely mirrored the tobacco industry's playbook, such as overstating fears about illegal trade and shifting blame to individuals instead of holding tobacco companies accountable," she said. Hansard recordings from the time showed a New Zealand First Party MP saying, "Our smoking rates have fallen drastically in recent times ... If those trends continue without any additional measures, [we] will hit the headline smoke-free goal". Another showed a National Party MP saying, "We're going to be a lot less punitive ... provide [people] with more choice to help them quit". And an Act Party MP said, "... we [would] have a large illegal market putting profits in the pockets of gangs ..." if the smokefree laws continued. Opposition MPs strongly opposed the repeal, raising concerns about the lack of consultation, breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi and the likely impact on health inequities. Prof Hoek said the researchers' analysis, published yesterday in BMJ journal Tobacco Control , provided evidence from the NZ Health Survey which showed the Smokefree 2025 goal was very unlikely to be achieved, particularly for Māori. The report said returning to individually-focused measures, such as smoking cessation support, shifted responsibility for smoking from tobacco companies to people who smoked. NZ data also showed the illicit tobacco trade would not put more money in the hands of gangs. It had remained stable over time, and recent analysis suggested it may have decreased. Whether deliberate or not, coalition MPs' use of arguments made by tobacco companies suggested an urgent need to restrict tobacco companies' ability to influence policy, the briefing said. "Additional measures, include introducing lobbying regulations, such as a code of conduct to govern lobbying, a register that records all lobbying activity undertaken by organisations, and legislation that would define how policy makers and officials maintain high compliance with their obligations under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control." The briefing said these policies would increase transparency and should be an urgent priority here, and internationally. While limiting lobbying and making interactions more transparent was crucial, even these steps might not capture all the interactions between politicians, their staff, tobacco companies or the groups they support. "Researchers must thus continue to question tobacco companies' arguments, and the logic and evidence used to support these, particularly given court findings that tobacco companies deceived the public for many decades." Prof Hoek said their analysis offered a cautionary tale for other countries considering smokefree measures.
Otago Daily Times
27-05-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Govt allegedly favoured industry over health
Large multinational companies have been accused of increasingly influencing governments and shaping public policies to suit their own needs — often harming health in favour of profits. University of Otago Aspire Aotearoa Tobacco Control Research Centre senior research fellow Dr Jude Ball said public health experts examined four areas — alcohol, infant formula, transport and tobacco — and found recent New Zealand government decisions had favoured industry over health. In a Public Health Communication Centre briefing, released today, researchers found strong evidence and public support for reducing alcohol harms, but lobbying by the alcohol industry had stymied progress on reforms such as stricter advertising and availability controls. Researchers also found in 2024 the government withdrew from new Australia-New Zealand standards designed to curb infant formula marketing, following heavy lobbying by multinational dairy companies. The government's recent transport policies were also found to promote "car-centric" development, and delay emissions controls, which aligned closely with automotive industry preferences. It had prompted a legal challenge over the lack of transparency, Dr Ball said. Serious concerns had also been raised about the repeal of world-leading tobacco endgame measures last year. The government appeared to ignore expert health advice and public support for the legislation. Dr Ball said the four examples were "just the tip of the iceberg", and concern was growing over the broader influence of commercial lobbying on New Zealand policy-making. Ultimately, it was having an impact on the health of our communities. "The World Health Organisation report describes how transnational corporations use their growing power to influence policy, often to the detriment of public health, while governments are weakened or 'captured' by commercial interests." She said the briefing highlighted recent New Zealand reports that recommended measures to protect against industry influence. The recommendations included banning political donations and gifts from industry; increasing transparency around conflicts of interest; and introducing a lobbying register and code of conduct. "Public policy should be shaped by evidence and public interest — not by those with the deepest pockets and the loudest lobbyists. "By adopting basic transparency and accountability measures, New Zealand can foster a business environment that's both economically vibrant and health-promoting," she said.
Scoop
19-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Aotearoa's Smokefree Setback Offers A Warning For Countries Advancing Tobacco Control
Aotearoa New Zealand's sudden repeal of world-leading smokefree laws last year shows how quickly progress can be undone when political decisions ignore evidence, public opinion, and expert advice, according to a new Public Health Communication Centre Briefing. In the Briefing, researchers from the University of Otago analyse arguments made by Government and Opposition MPs during the rushed February 2024 repeal of smokefree 'endgame' laws. These laws would have reduced nicotine in cigarettes to non-addictive levels, drastically cut the number of tobacco retailers, and created a smokefree generation by ending cigarette sales to people born after 2009. Despite strong public support and compelling evidence showing the laws would reduce smoking and save lives, the Coalition Government used urgency to repeal them, cutting out public consultation. 'This repeal went against the best available evidence, against the advice of the Ministry of Health, and against what most New Zealanders want, says Prof Janet Hoek, co-director of ASPIRE Aotearoa. 'It's a textbook example of how tobacco industry-style arguments can derail bold public health action.' The analysis published today in the BMJ journal Tobacco Control found that: Government MPs claimed Aotearoa was 'on track' to reach Smokefree 2025 goals, despite data showing Māori smoking rates remain much higher than those of non-Māori. Many Government arguments lacked evidence and closely mirrored the tobacco industry's playbook, such as overstating fears about illegal trade and shifting blame to individuals instead of holding tobacco companies accountable. Opposition MPs strongly opposed the repeal, raising concerns about the lack of consultation, breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the likely impact on health inequities. Prof Hoek says their analysis offers a cautionary tale for other countries considering smokefree measures. 'Understanding how these arguments played out and how misinformation went unchallenged can help other countries protect their policies from similar attacks.' The Briefing calls for steps to safeguard public health policymaking from tobacco industry influence. These include excluding tobacco companies from consultation on public health policy, introducing strong lobbying rules and a public register of industry contact, and ensuring full transparency in all interactions between politicians and the tobacco industry or its allies. About The Public Health Communication Centre The Public Health Communication Centre (PHCC) is an independently funded organisation dedicated to increasing the reach and impact of public health research in Aotearoa New Zealand. We work with researchers, journalists, and policymakers to ensure evidence is clearly communicated and accessible. We regularly publish public health expert commentary and analysis from across Aotearoa in The Briefing.
RNZ News
14-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
New Zealand ranked last in international alcohol study
New Zealand has come in last place in a study comparing alcohol control policies in 11 countries or provinces. Photo: 123rf New Zealand has come in last place in a study comparing alcohol control policies in 11 countries or provinces. The study, released by the Public Health Communication Centre and conducted by researchers at Massey University, found New Zealand was particularly lacking when it came to alcohol marketing and longer-than-average trading hours. Other jurisdictions studied were Lithuania, Norway, Finland, Ireland, Netherlands, and Australia, as well as four Canadian provinces ranked individually. Lead co-author Professor Sally Caswell told Morning Report alcohol companies had free reign to advertise as they wish, particularly online. "There aren't any rules - what we have is a voluntary code which is organised by the commercial interests. What we really need is regulation. We do have a little bit of regulation but the police have told us it's really very difficult to enforce that. "As well as all of the hoardings, all of the marketing we see everywhere, we're also exposed to marketing on social media platforms, which is very very worrying because using artificial intelligence the commercial interests are able to use a great deal of data about us to target and design marketing messages." That made it harder for problem drinkers to quit, she said. "This is not just a concern about young people ...but it's also adult drinkers that are drinking heavily, would like to cut down, tell us that they are exposed to very worrying stimuli in a range of places but including social media." Caswell said New Zealand was also found lacking in regards to tax on alcohol. "If we look at something like our tax rate, the amount of tax that is in the retail price ... we're about 34 percent and Australia is 46 percent. Some of the countries, the countries that were doing really well, the tax rate is about 60 percent... So we're not doing well there," she said. "And we're certainly not doing well on trading hours, because our national trading hours for takeaway alcohol are still around 11pm and many of the countries are shorter than that - 8pm or 9pm. "So really we didn't do very well on any of the policy domains that were measured."
NZ Herald
07-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Tairāwhiti faces measles risk with low immunisation rates
Tairāwhiti ranked 17th out of the 20 health districts in the country. Only four regions—Canterbury, Southern, West Coast, and Capital & Coast — have reached the 84% 'milestone' figure set for the 2024–2025 period. Health experts also warn that many adults born between 1969 and 2004 may not be fully protected with the full two-dose measles vaccination, now the recommended dosage. A Tairāwhiti senior doctor, who asked not to be named, told the Gisborne Herald that health services in the region were already under pressure. 'So how would we manage the additional demand from a large measles outbreak?' he said. 'Prevention is key. Contact tracing will only be important initially to stop the spread. Vaccination will be more important to limit the extent of an outbreak.' The doctor said a desktop exercise with education and health partners on March 28 had been conducted to prepare for the spread of measles and increase local capacity for contact tracing and vaccination. A Tairāwhiti nurse, who also asked not to be identified, told the Gisborne Herald that children could potentially die because of low immunisation rates. It was a nationwide issue and small children were the most at risk of serious diseases, she said. 'The importance of vaccination needs to be stressed.' Acting clinical director, protection, National Public Health Service, Dr Matt Reid, in a statement, said there was much concern about a potential measles outbreak in NZ, given the rapid rise of measles cases overseas and low immunisation rates here. 'There are several regions we are particularly concerned about due to especially low immunisation rates. 'This includes Tairāwhiti, Lakes and Northland districts, which have lower immunisation coverage... less than 70%. 'The aim is for all districts to reach 85% by the end of the financial year, which still has two quarters remaining. Reid said there were no measles cases in the country, 'but in preparation for the possibility of a case being identified in NZ, we've reminded people of the importance of immunisation, particularly if they are travelling overseas. 'If you're not immune to measles, or you're not sure if you've had two doses of the vaccine, talk to your healthcare provider about getting vaccinated. 'It is safe to have extra doses of the MMR vaccine even if you are already protected.' The MMR vaccine is free for everyone under 18 years old, regardless of visa status. 'For those aged over 18, the vaccine is free if you're eligible for free healthcare in NZ. 'The vaccine is safe and very effective.' After two doses, 99% of people are protected from measles. The Public Health Communication Centre's Briefing recommended three immediate actions to prevent an epidemic. Catch-up MMR immunisation for those aged 15 months to 9 years without documented receipt of two doses of MMR vaccine. Priority should be given to existing immunisation requirements for primary schools and pre-schools to reach a 95% plus coverage target. It is these institutions that particularly drive the spread in the community. Improved communication to travellers about measles risk. For residents even more than visitors, as those returning home are more likely to import the virus. Rethink the country's response to new measles cases arising in the community to have a stronger immunisation component. The United States is enduring the largest measles outbreak in 25 years, with 935 confirmed measles cases as of May 1. Three outbreaks in Canada, Mexico and the US account for about 2300 measles cases across the World Health Organisation's six-country Americas region. As of May 1, 59 measles cases had been reported across Australia, compared to 57 cases for all of 2024. Every state and territory, except Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory, has recorded at least one case.
