media release

From today, it is illegal for tobacco companies in New Zealand to sell cigarettes in branded packaging but the implementation has had a mixed response. 

Hāpai is steadfast in its support for harm-reduction technologies such as vaping devices and e-liquid that are currently helping many people who smoke tobacco to stop smoking safely and successfully.

Hāpai Te Hauora says "ground-breaking" new research on umbilical cord clamping simply reflects traditional Māori birthing practices. 

Hāpai Te Hauora, the largest Māori public health collective in Aotearoa, outlines key priority areas for Budget 2018 which we believe will have the biggest impact on whānau:

• Provision for meeting urgent housing needs in Tāmaki Mākaurau and Te Tai Tokerau so all families have the ability to live in warm, dry homes

• Funding to support papakainga housing in rural areas

This week the Department of Internal Affairs released the figures on proceeds from pub and club gambling machines in the first quarter of 2018. From January 1 to March 31, $212 million was generated from pokies, a 2.3% increase on the same period in 2017.
"This is disappointing news," says Lance Norman, Chief Executive Officer for Hāpai Te Hauora. "Even with sinking lid policies, a reduction in gaming venues, machines and licence holders, pokie machines are taking more and more money away from families and out of our communities."

The increasing rate of cash and cigarette related theft has inspired a New Zealand vaping business to offer free product consignment for dairy owners considering replacing their tobacco stocks. It is estimated that more than 1,200 aggravated robberies are committed against dairy businesses each year. 

A new study has suggested that threats of lawsuits given by the tobacco industry contributed to the stall in New Zealand’s plain packaging legislation by at least three years.

Last week it was revealed that Philip Morris (New Zealand) has taken British American Tobacco (New Zealand) to court. The two tobacco giants are squabbling over alleged anti-competitive behaviour by British American Tobacco in the New Zealand market.

Kaitaia based GP, and former New Zealander of the Year, Dr. Lance O’Sullivan, has raised concerns about gambling harm experienced within Northland communities and is calling on the government to take action.

Hāpai Te Hauora and Alcohol Healthwatch are applauding the decision by a bottle store applicant in Takanini, South Auckland, not to proceed with their application to open a new bottle store in the neighbourhood. Had the bottle store gone ahead it would have increased the number of off-licences in the community to five.