The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners

The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners is welcoming Minister Turia's decision to increase tobacco excise tax by 10% with immediate effect. This follows recent advice from the College and other organisations. College President Dr Harry Pert added, “As the College’s recent letter to the Prime Minister, and Ministers Turia, Ryall and English indicated, it will be vital to dedicate extra tax income from the increase to smoking cessation programmes, especially targeting low income earners, Maori and Pacific smokers, at-risk youth and patients with chronic illnesses whose health is further compromised by smoking."