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Casey Costello, deputy health secretary, said: Substantial cuts to taxes on “heated tobacco products” Just a “trial” designed to help heavy smokers.
RNZ reported the changes on Thursday. Quietly introduce.
Costello responded to two questions about the tax cuts at an unrelated news conference Thursday before being blocked from taking them by police communications staff.
Costello said she believed it was the first time New Zealand had reduced tobacco excise taxes.
“But it’s part of a strategy to target smokers and provide alternative products,” she said.
“So this is just a trial phase. We will analyse if there is an opportunity and this is a less harmful solution.
“So we are looking at a number of options because we are dealing with about 280,000 heavy smokers right now and e-cigarettes are not for everyone, so we are looking at other options.”
Asked if anyone in the tobacco industry had spoken to her about the change, Costello replied: “No.”
She declined to be interviewed by Radio New Zealand.
You can read the full text of the press conference below:
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