New Zealand: Maori Party Call for Lower Allowance of Duty Free Tobacco

Source from:  Radio Network (nz)  08/05/2013

In a bid to better the health of New Zealanders, the Maori Party is calling for the government to reduce the duty free tobacco allowance.

Currently the allowance stands at 200 cigarettes, but Maori Party co-Leader Tariana Turia says she would like to see that reduced to 50 cigarettes.

She says the reasoning is obvious. "Given that we have raised the taxes on tobacco here in New Zealand we should be looking at all the loop holes that need to be shut down and the duty-free issue is one that's been on the agenda. The important thing for us as a government is about health protection of New Zealanders. We know that thirteen people a day die of tobacco related disease." Enditem