Smokefree campaigners concerned about tobacco additives

Northland smokefree campaigners are concerned about a tobacco additive that is marketed to young people in an attempt to make smoking more palatable.

Tobacco additive ‘Tasty Puff', which sells a range of fruity and other flavours to be added to cigarettes in the form of liquid drops, is sold in some Northland dairies and liquor outlets

Bridget Rowse, Northland District Health Board's Smokefree Coordinator, said: "Products like ‘Tasty Puff' make tobacco more attractive to young people who are experimenting with smoking, as it masks the taste of the cigarette with exotic flavours like ‘Mango Tango', ‘Joosy Froot' and ‘Crumpy Chocolate'.

"Tobacco additives like ‘Tasty Puff' are not illegal under the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990, but there is something morally reprehensible about profiting from the use of a product that is used to mask the taste of cigarettes, a product that is addictive and when used as directs kills its consumers."

The product is sold in dairies, convenience stores and liquor stores. While the sale of tobacco is restricted to anyone under the age of 18, additives such as ‘Tasty Puff" can be sold to people of any age.

Mrs Rowse said: "With most smokers taking up the habit around 14 to 15 years of age[1], a product like this can enhance the flavour of what is normally not an enjoyable experience, making cigarettes attractive to young people when they otherwise would not.

"With the recent release of the ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) Year-10 Survey results showing a significant reduction in smoking initiation amongst Northland Year-10 students, with ‘regular' smoking down from 29.2% in 1999 to 16.4% in 2007, surely as a community we want to do all that we can to continue this trend and protect our youth from smoking harm.

"A product like this that makes smoking taste better may lead to an increase in smoking uptake among youth. It would be a great thing if the retailers selling this product voluntarily withdrew it from the market."

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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