Submissions close on 7 September 2012. A submission form is at the back of the consultation paper. Email submissions to D Thompson at gamblingharm@moh.govt.nz. The paper is at http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/preventing-and-minimising-gambling-harm-consultation-document
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Plain Packaging of Cigarettes? The Ministry of Health (MoH) is consulting on a plan to introduce plain packaging for tobacco. Its consultation paper sets out the Government's plain packaging proposal, and invites comment. Amongst the questions MoH asks are: •
whether plain packaging could reduce the appeal of tobacco products, increase the effectiveness of health warnings on tobacco packaging, and stop tobacco packaging misleading consumers about the harmful effects of smoking;
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if you don’t think plain packaging should be introduced, what other options should be adopted to address the above issues;
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whether such a scheme should be matched with Australia’s plain packaging scheme;
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whether plain packaging could have any negative consequences, like: limitations on consumer choice, on freedom of expression, on competition or trade; impacts on tobacco manufacturers/exporters in developing countries, and an increase in illicit tobacco trade; and
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what the likely impacts are of plain packaging on the price of cigarettes.
The closing date for submissions is 5 October 2012. Email submissions to tobacco@moh.govt.nz. More, including the submission form is at http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/proposal-introduce-plainpackaging-tobacco-products-new-zealand
Ozzies & Plain Packaging An Australian High Court ruling has upheld that government’s decision to have cigarettes sold in plain packets, devoid of all company logos and advertising. The majority of justices found the Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill was not in contravention of Section 51 of the Australian constitution. The tobacco companies have been ordered to pay the Commonwealth's legal costs. Cigarette packets will instead be covered with grim photos and graphic warnings about the dangers of smoking. The decision is expected to have significant influence globally, though it’s likely to be appealed. More is at http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/australia/7482845/Plain-tobacco-packaging-upheld-in-Australia
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Review of NZ’s Fire Services A panel has been appointed to review NZ’s Fire Services. Its brief includes considering how the NZ Fire Service Commission, including the National Rural Fire Authority and NZ Fire Service, can be governed and structured to operate effectively, and provide value for money. The panel will advise how the fire services’ can have clearly defined roles that fit with the functions of other emergency services providers, and how they can be sustainably funded for the functions that they perform. The review will also be looking at how the “Enlarged Rural Fire Districts” programme, which encourages the voluntary merger of rural fire authorities into larger organisations, can be speeded up. The panel will consult key sector organisations, including police and other emergency services, health and local government. More, including the terms of reference are at http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Resource-material-Our-Policy-Advice-Areas-Fire-Service-Review-and-Terms-of-Reference
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Rural Women NZ, enquiries@ruralwomen.org.nz, 04 473 5524
Bulletin Aotearoa September 2012 - 6