New Zealanders overwhelmingly support keeping the smoke-free legislation the new Coalition Government is planning to repeal, a new survey reveals.
The survey, commissioned by Health Coalition Aotearoa (HCA) and the University of Otago tobacco research group ASPIRE, found 67 percent of respondents either strongly support or support keeping the laws, while just 21 percent oppose keeping them and 10 percent are unsure.
It comes amid protests in Auckland and Wellington on Wednesday against the planned repeal of the legislation. A petition signed by more than 46,000 people wanting to stop any changes is being handed over at Parliament.
As part of coalition negotiations, National agreed with both New Zealand First and ACT to repeal some smokefree legislation. This includes removing the requirement for denicotinisation, removing the reduction in retail outlets, and the generation ban.
Health experts have come out loudly against the plans, which have garnered international headlines. One tobacco researcher said New Zealand's international public health reputation had been "tarnished", while Labour leader Chris Hipkins said the country had been "embarrassed".
While the Government says it wants to bring down smoking rates and is concerned the current legislation is unworkable and will lead to a black market for tobacco, the survey results show National voters also support the current scheme.
More than half of National voters support retaining the legislation, while just under half – 44 percent – of New Zealand First voters and 36 percent of ACT voters are also in support.
Voters for parties on the left are also behind the legislation. The results show 84 percent of Te Pāti Māori voters, 80 percent of Green voters and 77 percent of Labour voters.
There was support for the legislation across all age groups. All parts of the legislation that is planned to be wound back received major support as well.
HCA co-chair Professor Boyd Swinburn said the survey showed the public was behind health groups that opposed the Government's plans.
"Repealing this law is just not supported. There’s no mandate from the public. The public are not stupid, they know these laws are good for the country, the economy and will save lives."
Swinburn said Prime Minister Christopher Luxon should listen to the public and his own constituents "not the tobacco industry".
"This is a very strong message for Christopher Luxon to reflect on his role as leader – is this the legacy he wants as Prime Minister, is this the legacy National wants?"
Labour's health spokesperson Dr Ayesha Verrall was at the Parliament protest on Wednesday afternoon.
"Today, standing side-by-side with many of our health professionals at Parliament in unison with further supporters in Auckland, we made a resounding call for the Government to come to its senses and stop its repeal of the Smokefree legislation," she said.
"It’s completely immoral this coalition Government are planning to repeal this legislation to pay for its tax cuts. The harms of tobacco on our communities and whānau are starkly clear, with evidence showing that the Smokefree legislation would save over 8,000 lives, extend Māori life expectancy and save about $1.3 billion in healthcare costs."
The survey was conducted online between December 6 and 12 by Talbot Mills Research with 755 nationally representative respondents in New Zealand aged 18 and over.
