News - Health Coalition Aotearoa

Smoke Free Action Plan geared to be “end game move” for Tobacco-caused death

Apr 15, 2021

The Smokefree Action Plan which proposes sweeping tobacco sale restrictions and the creation of a smokefree-generation could be the “end game move” needed to eliminate tobacco-caused death in New Zealand,the Health Coalition Aotearoa says.Associate Minister for Health...

Media release: Dirty PR exposed in Whale Oil defamation trial

Mar 3, 2021

“The exposure of these dirty PR tactics clears the way for all our colleagues who are advocating for strong public health policies to do so without fear of being abused and defamed in the media,” said Professor Sellman

Health groups call for serious action on prevention

Jul 27, 2020

Tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food cause about one-third of the annual loss of healthy life-years, yet less than 0.5 percent of the health budget is spent on preventing this damage. What’s more, virtually none of the policies for alcohol and unhealthy foods...

Media Release: Too much risk attached to online sales of spirits and RTDs

Apr 12, 2020

Health Coalition Aotearoa believes the government made a mistake allowing online sales of spirits during the lockdown and recommends the decision be reversed. The Health Coalition believes it is unfair to allow increased alcohol availability at a time of considerable...

Discussion paper: Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Bill

Mar 16, 2020

With the introduction of the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Bill into parliament, the Smokefree Expert Advisory Group has prepared a discussion paper on vaping and e-cigarette regulation to inform individuals and organisations...

Analysis of food industry commitments and government response

Nov 18, 2019

Summary comments on industry report This assessment of the 51 food industry recommendations is based on a 2017 report and peer-reviewed publication on the progress by the top 25 food companies in New Zealand, including manufacturers, retailers and fast food outlets....

Media Release: Food industry serves the waffle, government pours the syrup

Nov 17, 2019

A just-released report shows that the food industry wants to stay in a business-as-usual mode with a few minor tweaks around the edges. In response, the New Zealand Government appeared comfortable with that approach, and provided no Government plans for comprehensive...

Media Release: Health groups boycott alcohol advertising code review

Aug 23, 2019

An open letter was sent today to the Advertising Standards Authority explaining the reasons for a boycott of its review of the voluntary code on alcohol advertising and promotion. The letter has been endorsed by more than 20 organisations including Health Coalition...

Media release: Pressure mounts for ‘long overdue’ government regulation of alcohol marketing and sponsorship

Aug 16, 2019

The Advertising Standards Authority, a group representing the interests of advertisers, publishers, broadcasters and alcohol producers, has called for submissions on its voluntary code on alcohol advertising and promotion. The Health Coalition Aotearoa is concerned...

Sugar industry’s fight against tax takes tips from tobacco’s playbook – an opinion piece by steering group member Victoria Mulligan

Dec 3, 2018

The debate over whether a sugar tax would effectively combat New Zealand's obesity problem is back in the spotlight. Today's supermarket foods contain increasing levels of added sugar and fat, but the major culprits are sugary drinks, known as sugar sweetened...