New Zealand to Pass Tobacco Packaging Bill; Second Country After Australia to Impose Plain Packaging

The tobacco packaging bill has been introduced in New Zealand, but it will not be passed as a law until Australia has settled the legal action. New Zealand's Associate Helath Minister Tariana Turia had introduced to Parliament the bill on Dec 17, known as the Smoke-Free Environments Amendment Bill.

The new bill seeks to require tobacco companies to sell cigarettes in standardised packaging with big health warnings. The New Zealand government continues to wait for the legal action to plain packaging in Australia before proceeding to the next process of passing the bill.

On Dec 17, Ms Turia said she wants Parliament to begin the legislative process of passing the bill since there have been considerable delays. According to Ms Turia, Australia's plain packaging on tobacco is still under challenge by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), but the New Zealand government is convinced the bill should be passed into law immediately as 5,000 New Zealanders die every year from the health effects of smoking such as lung cancer and heart disease.

In a statement, the health minister said the plain packaging bill will remove the tobacco company logos, colours and other ads designed to make smoking cigarettes glamorous in the eyes of consumers. Ms Turia said this was an important step to reduce the number of smokers in the country.

New Zealand's plain packaging on tobacco along with bigger health warnings plastered on the packets will send a clear message that smoking can cause death.

If the tobacco packaging bill is passed into law, New Zealand will be the second nation in the world to support plain packaging aside from Australia. Ireland and the UK are also considering the legalisation of plain packaging on tobacco.

Since Australia is currently facing legal challenges, New Zealand may experience the same fate if it follows in Australia's footsteps. Government officials estimate legal costs to be around $2 million to $6 million. The amount does not include compensation if the legal dispute is dismissed.

New Zealand will be monitoring the WTO challenges against Australia by leading tobacco manufacturers in countries like Cuba, Indonesia, Dominican Republic, Honduras and Ukraine.