The government announced to tighten legislation on tobacco control, including a display ban in shops, reports the New Zealand Herald.

Associate health minister Tariana Turia yesterday said that Cabinet had backed a package of legislation under which tobacco products would be hidden and anti-smoking officers would get powers to instantly fine shops for violating the ban and for selling cigarettes to under -18s rather than take such cases through the courts.
The announcement came a day after the Maori affairs committee of parliament called for a retail display ban and a total ban on smoking by 2025.
Turia, who made the policy announcement at the Tobacco-Free Aotearoa Conference, hopes to introduce the legislation to parliament before Christmas. She also said the government was monitoring Australia's proposals to allow only plain packaging on cigarettes. (pi)