As part of the Cancer Society's campaign to ban the retail display of tobacco products, the Society coordinated a national petition which has been referred to the Parliamentary Health Select Committee. The Committee is currently reviewing the issue.

Petition - May 2007

In May 2007, the Cancer Society and partners, spearheaded a petition to ban cigarette displays. In less than one month 20,000 signatures were collected from across the country.

Petition Handover rally - June 2007

On June 21st, the Cancer Society organised a rally outside Parliament House to present a 20,000 strong petition to ban cigarette displays to Associate Minister of Health Damien O'Connor. Speaking at the rally were Chief Executives and Medical Directors from many public health organisations and three Cancer Society Smokefree Youth Ambassadors - Eloise (Wellington), Kelsi (Nelson) and Nathanial (Gisborne).

The Ministers' office issued a press release on the day welcoming the petition and noting that it showed that there was public disquiet about the way tobacco producs were 'in the face' of children and adaults when they use reail outlets. The Minister announced that he had asked the Ministry of Health to develop a public consultation document on the future of tobacco displays and noted that, "..the public does not miss smoky bars and restaurants. Now it is time to ask if they will miss the wall of cigarettes at the local shop."

Health Select Committee Hearing I - October 2007

In October 2007 the Cancer Society presented to the Health Select Committee in support of our petition to ban tobacco displays. As part of the oral submission six Cancer Society Smoke-free Youth Ambassadors presented to the Committee. Pictured below presentign to the Health Select Committee they are (left to right) Cassandra Feaunati (New Plymouth), Charlotte Gavey (Lower Hutt, Wellington), Nathanial Ratapu (Gisborne), Yathen Jayaweera (Whangarei), Micah Guidote (Auckland ) and Sarah Pulford (Hastings).

Health Select Committee Hearing II - November 2007

In November 2007 the Committee heard submission from the Ministry of Health and ASH. We are now awaiting a response from the Committee.

Consultation Document released - December 2007

In December 2007 the Ministry of Health released a Consultation Document on the Future of Tobacco Displays. 

Health Select Committee Hearing III - July 2008

In July 2008, after the release of the analysis of submissions from the public consultation on tobacco displays, the NZ Association of Convenience Stores* presented to the Health Select Committee.

Report from Health Select Committee - September 2008

In September 2008 the Parliament's Health Select Committee reported to Parliament after considering the petition. The Committee recommeded that the Government introduce legislation to require tobacco and cigarette displays in retail outlets to be out of the sight. However the New Zealand National Party provided a minority view opposed to a ban.

Current Situation (November 2008)

The Government now has 90 days to respond to the Health Select Committee report.

* British American Tobacco (which controls 75% of the NZ tobacco market share) and Imperial Tobacco are ‘premier members’ of the New Zealand Association of Convenience Stores and Imperial Tobacco is on their Board. Downloaded 8th May 2008 from http://www.nzacs.com/nzacs_premier_members and http://www.nzacs.com/nzacs_board