bat new zealand - Balanced regulation

We acknowledge the health risks associated with tobacco, and do not question that tobacco needs to be subject to restrictions. However, real progress can best be achieved by extending to all stakeholders the opportunity for genuine consultation and participation in the regulatory process. This must include smokers, non-smokers, regulators, retailers, suppliers and tobacco companies themselves.

Today, there is a trend towards imposing more and more legislative restrictions on the manufacture, promotion, sale and consumption of tobacco products. In fact, given that the largest slice of tobacco profits goes directly to the government in taxation, the New Zealand Government is clearly among the largest stakeholders in the tobacco industry.

As New Zealand's leading tobacco company, we are keen to work side by side with governments and their agencies in the formulation of tobacco control policy. Our aim is not to halt the legislative reform process, but rather to ensure the development of sensible and effective regulation that is workable for all parties concerned.

We believe that we have a valuable contribution to make to any long-term legislative strategy. As market leader we possess valuable technical knowledge that in the past we have openly shared with governments, in good faith, to work together and achieve real progress. We are committed to maintaining an open dialogue with the Government. Our desire is to strike a balance between meeting our commercial objectives and satisfying reasonable public expectations.

The New Zealand tobacco industry shares many of the central objectives of government with respect to tobacco regulation. In particular, British American Tobacco New Zealand supports government efforts to reduce underage smoking, and to reduce the growing black market tobacco trade. We have launched various initiatives in recent years to curb these problems through retailer and consumer education.

We reiterate our commitment to working with the Government and their agencies in establishing effective and workable regulation in the area of tobacco control, that is applicable to the New Zealand market.