Friday, April 23 1999
Thank you Sir for accepting our " rendez-vous ". May I ask you to introduce yourself ?
I am Tuariki John Delamere, Associate Minister of Health for New Zealand with special responsibility for public health including smoking-related matters.
I am a Maori, the indigenous race of Aotearoa/New Zealand.
I studied at Universities in the USA and was an instructor in the US Army at Westpoint, a professional athlete, a computer salesman and a public servant before becoming a Member of Parliament.
I recently attended the International Conference on Children and Tobacco in Washington DC.
1. This was the first international tobacco control conference of its kind, involving directly so many politicians, ministers and parliamentarians, from various parts of the world. What was the main reason for your coming?
The big tobacco companies are well-resourced and organised all around the world.
This international conference was important because of the need to build up contacts at the highest Government levels in the fight against tobacco and to co-ordinate the international campaign against the ill effects of smoking.
2. New Zealand is considered among the most advanced countries in terms
of tobacco control. Are you still coming home with ideas for new
initiatives in tobacco control for New Zealand?
At the international level?
If so, can you tell us about them?
New initiatives New Zealand is currently considering are extensions to the Smokefree Environments Act.
We are looking at extending bans on smoking in bars, restaurants, schools and other public places, including Parliament, something some of my colleagues are a little nervous about.
At the Washington conference, I was struck by some of the hypocrisy on display, in that some politicians were speaking out about the evils of smoking, yet back in their own countries it seemed they were happy to accept political funding from the tobacco companies.
I am proposing that New Zealand outlaw donations of any kind to politicians or political parties from tobacco companies.
If it's good enough to ban sports from receiving tobacco sponsorship, it should be good enough for politicians to expect the same rules to apply to them.
3. What are you considering as the main obstacles to tobacco control in your country?
Do you think international cooperation can help?
The major obstacle is public attitudes.
It is a long tough haul to change people's minds about the dangers of smoking, but I have no doubt that one day, we will win.
4. What do you think about the tobacco industry criticism that they were not invited to take part in this conference?
Who cares? They are big enough to organise their own conferences where they spread their propaganda.
Tobacco companies sell products that kill and maim people. I fail to see why we should give them another forum to spread their views.
5. The International Union Against Cancer provided each conference
participant with an email access. Do you think using internet
technology can help?
Are you going to use it for international tobacco control?
New Zealand's anti-smoking groups and the Ministry of Health are already enthusiastic users of the Internet.
It is a major help in spreading the word about the dangers of tobacco.
Thank you Sir for taking the time to be with us today.
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