Hapai Te Hauora, a Maori public health organisation, has argued that tobacco is four times more available in low-income communities compared to prosperous ones, Radio New Zealand reported.

The health organisation calls for action to reduce the number of outlets where tobacco is sold. They argue that it would be more beneficial to New Zealand’s indigenous people, according to the report. Spokesperson, Mihi Blair said there was a big difference in how much tobacco products were available in different parts of Auckland: “If you go down Kelston, which is another low-income area, around one school there are five dairies selling tobacco and a couple of liquor stores selling that. Compared to if you go to Remuera, you will notice that there is one dairy on Remuera Rd, and two liquor stores on there, and only one of them actually sells tobacco,” she was quoted as saying. Blair calls for a reduction in the spread of cigarettes and is pleading tobacco retailers to take action.
Tariana Turia, who is a former politician, agreed with Blair and claimed it was a form of racism. Turia was a part of the most recent campaign to increase the tobacco tax in New Zealand, which resulted in the most recent tax increase that came into effect on 1 January 2019. From 1 January the price of one pack of cigarettes has increased to roughly NZD 30 (EUR 18), according to the report.
Since the policy was introduced in 2010, adult smoking rates have dropped by 2.5 per cent. The Māori rate dropped too, but was still 2.6 times higher than the rate of non-Māori smokers. Ministry of Health statistics show that 35 per cent of Māori adults smoke compared to 14 per cent among non- Māori, according to the report.