Have your say - Call for submissions to ban tobacco displays

The New Zealand Government is considering changing the laws around how tobacco products can be displayed in shops - and it wants your input. The Government wants to help non-smokers (including children and young people) and ex-smokers to avoid smoking.

It is estimated that more than 10,000 retail outlets such as supermarkets, dairies and service stations sell tobacco products in New Zealand. Displays are often large and are highly visible to all customers, including children, young people, ex-smokers and people who are trying to quit smoking.

Cigarette displays can be a powerful temptation to someone struggling to quit smoking, as seeing packets of cigarettes can trigger impulse purchases and relapse. Tobacco displays also undermine the health message, as the public is told that smoking is harmful, and people are then confronted by large, highly visible displays in stores.

Northland DHB Smokefree Coordinator, Bridget Rowse, says: "The call to ban tobacco displays is not about banning the sale of tobacco, it is simply about moving the tobacco products from the display units to under the counter.

"Current smokers are brand-loyal; these displays are positioned to attract new smokers. Banning cigarette displays does not stop people from buying cigarettes but it stops tobacco companies from marketing them in this way."

Currently some retailers sell tobacco products from drawers under the checkout counters, while other Northland retailers like the Bush Fairy Dairy and VIP Dairy in Kaitaia have chosen not to sell tobacco products at all.

Iceland, Ireland, Thailand and some parts of Australia already have laws that ban all tobacco displays, and Canada is currently considering this move.

Cancer Society Health Promoter, Jim Callaghan, is encouraging the public to have their say by making a submission on this important issue. "We want to make sure that everyone's voice gets heard - that includes the public and especially youth. A big concern about tobacco displays relates to their impact on young people. Young people's voices are not often heard in Government reviews like this, and it's important that we listen to young people's thoughts (along with everyone else's) on what should happen with tobacco displays."

A submission template and the consultation document, Future of Tobacco Displays, can be downloaded at: http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/review-tobacco-displays-nz-consultation?Open. The closing date for submissions is 15 February 2008.

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For further information contact:

Bridget Rowse, Smokefree Coordinator

Phone (09) 430 4101 ext 7908

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Clare Blackburn, Communications Manager

Northland District Health Board

Phone (09) 430 4101 ext 3315

021 730 543