‘Health Nazis’ Actually Saving Lives
Friday, 19 September 2003, 2:47 pm
Press Release: Joint Media Statement

‘Health Nazis’ Actually Saving Lives
Thursday 18 September 2003
For immediate release
The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation, Heart Foundation and Cancer Society are extremely disappointed by United Future leader Peter Dunne’s comments in Parliament last night about tobacco control health workers. Mr Dunne called the workers ‘health Nazis’, ‘contemptible’ and ‘the lowest form of lowlife imaginable’.

“Mr Dunne has made a cowardly attack on people he knows can’t respond”, says Asthma and Respiratory Foundation Executive Director Jane Patterson.

“By labelling people involved in the smokefree legislation as ‘lowlife’ Mr Dunne is insulting organisations like the Cancer Society, the Heart Foundation and the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation.

“All these organisations support the work being carried out by health workers involved in this Bill. The people Mr Dunne has attacked are hard working Kiwis who have been involved in tobacco control measures that have helped save thousands of lives over the past two decades.

“The Nazis killed millions of innocent people. The label ‘Nazi’ would seem to fit the tobacco industry far better than health workers.”

Ms Patterson says Mr Dunne’s latest attack continues his extremely pro-tobacco approach.

“Smokefree restaurants and bars will result in lives being saved as fewer people are exposed to second-hand smoke, and more people quit smoking. A spin-off of this is likely to be a fall in tobacco industry profits in New Zealand. Mr Dunne’s comments seem to be tobacco friendly, rather than family friendly.”

In 1997 Mr Dunne was the only Member of Parliament to vote against legislation that proposed raising the age at which young people could be sold tobacco from 16 to 18 years.

“Mr Dunne opposed legislation that raised the age at which drugs could be sold to children. His latest comments show that he continues to put his pro-tobacco views before any concerns about the family.”

EMDS

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Cancer Society Applauds Progress
Thursday, 18 September 2003, 10:28 am
Press Release: Cancer Society

Cancer Society Applauds Progress
The Cancer Society is delighted with the progress of the Smokefree Environments Amendment Bill as it goes through its committee stages in Parliament.

No number of side issues such as toy cigarettes, exempting cigars or recommending ventilation systems can over-ride the key point in the Bill, says Cancer Society tobacco control spokesperson Dale Wilson: “That is, that New Zealanders will soon be safe from cancer-causing secondhand smoke in pubs, clubs and restaurants”.

“It’s pleasing to see that despite ‘smokescreens’ put up by various members of parliament, for whatever motivation, the votes being given show the majority of our country’s law makers recognise the right of all people to work in a safe environment,” Ms Wilson says.

Countries all around the world are coming to similar conclusions, she says.

“It would be tragic if our attention were diverted from passing this legislation which will unquestionably save people’s lives, and it is disappointing to hear some MPs are deliberately using stalling tactics to delay passage of this important legislation. The Cancer Society looks forward welcoming this amendment Bill as law.”


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