Live politics blog 28 Nov
Amberleigh Jack
Bishop questions figures on smokefree changes
Chris Bishop has contested the argument that Labour's smokefree changes would have saved lives.
Modelling, commissioned by the Ministry of Health, into the potential effects of those changes found 8000 deaths could be avoided and the health system could be saved $1.3 billion over 20 years.
Bishop told Q+A that he had doubts about those numbers.
"I think the evidence is not there on that," Bishop said.
"Actually, the changes are highly speculative and were opposed by some people in the anti-smoking/smokefree movement."
He also said a reduction in the number of places selling cigarettes would make those sites a target of crime, and pointed to there being "one store in Northland" under the previous Government's plan.
Tame challenged Bishop on that claim, saying Northland would have 35 sites under the plan.
"There'd be one store in Northland, that's my understanding," Bishop repeated.
Modelling, commissioned by the Ministry of Health, into the potential effects of those changes found 8000 deaths could be avoided and the health system could be saved $1.3 billion over 20 years.
Bishop told Q+A that he had doubts about those numbers.
"I think the evidence is not there on that," Bishop said.
"Actually, the changes are highly speculative and were opposed by some people in the anti-smoking/smokefree movement."
He also said a reduction in the number of places selling cigarettes would make those sites a target of crime, and pointed to there being "one store in Northland" under the previous Government's plan.
Tame challenged Bishop on that claim, saying Northland would have 35 sites under the plan.
"There'd be one store in Northland, that's my understanding," Bishop repeated.
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Updated at: 12/03/2023 12:47 AM
Updated at: 12/03/2023 12:47 AM