The West Coast DHB applauds and supports the Waikato DHB in calling for a total ban on retail tobacco displays in its submission on the Public Health Bill.
By removing the large and colourful displays the visual stimulus that can lead to impulse purchases will disappear.
Retail displays are also instrumental in encouraging young people to try using tobacco, something that the counselling service Youthline has recognised in joining the call to ban them.
Such actions would also be consistent with the Ministry of Health's target to increase the number of people who have never smoked.
Current statistics indicate that almost 6,000 West Coasters regularly smoke, with 1 in 15 being under the age of 20.
Tobacco is a highly addictive product that is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity for the West Coast population.
West Coast DHB CEO, Kevin Hague said, "Reducing the number of West Coasters smoking is a key step in keeping West Coasters as healthy as possible and reducing diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and stroke rates in the West Coast population."
"It is important to realise that this alone will not stop people from smoking but rather this is another link in the range of measures that will dissuade our young people from taking up the smoking habit and assist those who wish to give it up."
For more information please contact
Bryan Jamieson
Community Liaison Officer
West Coast DHB
PO Box 387
Greymouth 7840
Phone: 03 769 0499, Extn 2665#
Email: