IASLC Letter to New Zealand - New Zealand Tobacco Action Plan-IASLC Letter to New Zealand

IASLC Letter to New Zealand - New Zealand Tobacco Action Plan

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The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) has written a letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand, urging him to reconsider the government's plan to rescind the Aotearoa/New Zealand Tobacco Action Plan legislation. The IASLC states that the existing laws are a model for the world and play a crucial role in preventing lung cancer cases and deaths related to smoking. They argue that removing these laws will result in more lung cancers and tobacco-related illnesses, leading to increased healthcare costs and the deaths of more New Zealanders, especially among the Māori population.<br /><br />The IASLC emphasizes the addictive nature of nicotine, stating that it is more addictive than heroin or cocaine. They point out that the tobacco industry intentionally increased the amount of nicotine in cigarettes, making it extremely difficult for people to quit smoking. The majority of smokers regret starting and want to prevent their children from smoking.<br /><br />The IASLC highlights that smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in New Zealand and worldwide. They mention that the Health Ministry estimates 5,000 deaths occur each year in New Zealand due to smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, with a disproportionate number of deaths among the Māori population.<br /><br />They argue that tobacco production and use have caused hundreds of millions of deaths globally. The World Health Organization predicts that without regulations like New Zealand's, one billion more people will die from tobacco-related causes this century. They consider the marketing and sale of tobacco as a violation of the universal right to health.<br /><br />The IASLC commends New Zealand for becoming a beacon to the world since the passage of the tobacco endgame law. They state that at least a dozen countries are following New Zealand's lead, and they urge the Prime Minister to continue being at the forefront of positive change by not rescinding the Aotearoa/New Zealand Tobacco Action Plan legislation.

Keywords

International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer

IASLC

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon

New Zealand

Tobacco Action Plan legislation

lung cancer prevention

nicotine addiction

tobacco-related illnesses

Māori population

preventable death