Source: Health Coalition 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New Zealand’s tobacco control policy has come under increasing attack in recent months, with life-saving legislation repealed and no safeguards in place to stop it.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.”
