Now that the government has released details of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), health advocates believe we could soon see plain packaging on tobacco sold here.
Stephanie Erick, director of Ash New Zealand, says the TPPA built in protections, which prevent tobacco companies from taking legal action against governments over anti-tobacco policies, could pave the way for plain packaging. She says, “While a full exemption for tobacco would have been preferred, this is definitely good news for New Zealand and a step in the right direction.”
The government has pursued a wait and see approach, saying that would not proceed with any legislation until the Australian tobacco related court cases finished. However, tobacco opponents say the removal of tobacco companies from investor-state dispute settlement provisions means the government should have little to fear in passing the Smoke-free Environments (Tobacco Plain Packaging) Amendment Bill.
Annette King, deputy leader of the Labour party, told the NZ Herald that the government can now move quickly on the proposed legislation. She said, “It should be no problem now. We can’t be sued so instead of waiting for Australia, we should be able to pass that bill before Christmas.”
