Media release from Cancer Control New Zealand

Cancer Control New Zealand applauds the Government for increasing the excise tax on tobacco as a positive step towards preventing cancer deaths in New Zealand.

"We know that education alone doesn't change behaviour when it comes to smoking.  Increasing the price of cigarettes and tobacco products making them more expensive is a real deterrent," says Associate Professor Chris Atkinson, Chair of Cancer Control New Zealand.

"The Government should be congratulated for showing leadership and increasing the tax on tobacco.

"With tobacco use responsible for about a quarter of all cancer related deaths, Cancer Control New Zealand members have plenty of first-hand experience with cancer patients and their families suffering from the impact of smoking," says Associate Professor Atkinson.  

"Seeing illness and deaths from smoking and knowing this is preventable can be difficult.

"We back this decisive move to stop people smoking but hope that some of the increased revenue will be use to support quit programmes."

Cancer Control New Zealand is a Ministerial Advisory Committee providing an independent and sustainable focus on cancer control through strategic advice to the Minister of Health.