44126 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health

44126 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health: What advice, if any, has the Minister received about the potential impacts on Māori and Pacifica communities with the 50% reduction of excise tax on heated tobacco products?

Hon Casey Costello: Some population groups have higher smoking rates and are therefore disproportionately affected by tobacco harm. This harm can be the direct health impact and the indirect impact that smoking can have on household disposable incomes. Reducing excise on heated tobacco products increases the relative price of smoked tobacco compared to heated tobacco products. This may encourage people who smoke to switch to less harmful products, which may reduce both health-related harm and impact on disposable incomes.