• 1990 - New Zealand bans most types of tobacco advertising. Retail marketing however was not banned and has become a major focus for tobacco marketing ever since.
• 2006 - ASH and the Cancer Society compile literature review on the issue of tobacco retail displays which finds that there is growing evidence that retail tobacco displays are a major avenue for continued tobacco promotion in New Zealand.
• November 2006 - Research from Anand et al illustrated that regulations around tobacco displays in shops are being routinely breached by retailers in the Wellington region. Further research by the Ministry of Health confirmed high levels of non-compliance to retail regulations in the Auckland region. 
• May 2007 - Cancer Society and its supporters gathered over 20,000 signatures in a petition to Parliament calling for an end to retail marketing.
• June 2007 - The petition is handed to Associate Minister Damien O'Conner at a public rally in front of Parliament House.
• July 2007 - The  petition is referred to the Health Select Committee to review.
• October and November 2007 - Health Select Committee hears oral submissions from the Cancer Society, ASH and the Ministry of Health in two sittings.
• December 2007 to February 2008 - Ministry of Health coordinates a public consultation round on the future of tobacco displays.
• June 2008 - Ministry releases the analysis of submissions to the consultation.
• June 2008 - New survey data shows 59% of NZ smokers support a ban on tobacco displays.
• July 2008 - ASH Year 10 survey shows that teenagers who visit stores selling tobacco two to three times a week are twice as likely to be susceptible to smoking as those who visit stores selling tobacco less than weekly. 
• July 2008 - Health Select Committee hears an oral submission from the NZ Association of Convenience Stores regarding the Cancer Society's petition. They admit receiving rebates from the tobacco industry for displaying and stocking tobacco. The Health Select Committee orders the Ministry to invetigate.
• July 2008 - Cancer Society launched new DVD titled 'Out of Sight - Out of Mind: Protect Our Children from Tobacco Marketing'. 
• September 2008 - The Health Select Committee releases its report which recommends a ban on tobacco displays. 
• To help it advise on policy matters relating to the display of tobacco products in retail outlets in New Zealand, the Ministry of Health has issued a consultation letter which sets out possible options for removing tobacco products from public display in retail outlets.

The principal purpose is to obtain views, particularly those of tobacco retailers, on these options and their costs. The letter includes a series of questions regarding the compliance and implementation costs of the various options for removing tobacco displays from public view.

It seeks comment on the advantages and disadvantages of the proposals and invites alternative proposals. However, there are broader issues to consider and comments from interested parties are welcome. The Ministry will also have close regard to submissions provided during an earlier consultation on tobacco displays undertaken in 2007/08. New or updated information is, of course, welcome.