New Zealand: Retailer Group Challenges Ministry to Release Results

Source from:  Voxy.co.nz 11/07/2012

One of New Zealand's leading retail organisations today issued a challenge to the Ministry of Health to release the initial results of the submission process as businesses face more costs if this proposal for plain packaging of tobacco products is adopted.
 
"We are astounded that it's been over a month since the Government's much heralded consultation on its 'Proposal to Introduce Plain Packaging of Tobacco Products' and there been absolutely no comment from either the Ministry or from the Associate Minister of Health Tariana Turia," said Roger Bull, Chairman of the New Zealand Association of Convenience Stores (NZACS).
 
"We are aware that nearly 4,000 retailers have expressed their opposition to a measure that they feel will do little aside from increase costs onto their businesses. This is a huge number representing about 71% of the approximately 5,600 retailers that sell tobacco in New Zealand," said Mr Bull.
 
"What we have now is a refusal by the Ministry of Health to even say how many submissions it received from the public. That's not good enough."
 
"Retailers and others took the time to provide their views to the Ministry, due to real concerns that this proposal would lead to greater transaction times and further hinder retail convenience stores," said Mr Bull.
 
NZAC is calling on the Minister to release the results of the consultation process as ongoing speculation and uncertainty in the retail market is further undermining the retail sector, Mr Bull said. Enditem