Published: 1 February 2011
Authors: New Zealand Parliament.
Government response to the report of the Māori Affairs Committee on its inquiry into the tobacco industry in Aotearoa and the consequences of tobacco use for Māori (final response).
The Government welcomes the Report of the Māori Affairs Committee on its Inquiry into the tobacco industry in Aotearoa and the consequences of tobacco use for Māori. The Government has carefully considered the report and is responding in accordance with Standing Order 248. This final response supersedes the Government’s interim response presented to Parliament on 1 February 2011.
The Government appreciates the comprehensive coverage of the Committee’s report and recommendations, and recognises the Committee’s intent to develop an ambitious, effective approach to reduce smoking rates amongst Māori, with the wider brief of reducing smoking rates for all other New Zealanders at the same time. The Government acknowledges the Committee’s work on this important kaupapa and considers its Report makes a significant contribution to the goal of reducing the serious harm that smoking causes both Māori in particular, and other New Zealanders and the country as a whole.