Smoking campaign

Press, 11 January 1978, Page 4

Smoking campaign

PA Wellington Restrictions aimed at cutting cigarette smoking were likely to be introduced this year, said the Director of Public Health (Dr C. M. Collins) yesterday. Recommendations were expected to be made by the Government's Commit tee on Smoking and Health, he said. He was not in a position to sav what the recommendations might be. The department was awaiting results of tar level tests being con-

ducted for the department in Australia. “Once all brands have been tested, they will be published,” Dr Collins said. He did not know yet how or where tar levels would be made public. “But personally I would like to see them on all cigarette packets and advertisements,” he said. He thought there should also be more restrictions on advertising. An agreement in which cigarette manufacturers accepted restrictions on the size of newspaper advertisements is due to ex-

pire this year. It is believed that the tobacco companies will not voluntarily accept further restrictions on advertising and promotion. It is therefore likely that further restrictions will only result from legislative action. The chairman of the Committee on Smoking and Health (Mr G. W. Holland) said that a stronger health warning on cigarette packets and a prohibition of sports sponsorship by cigarette manufacturers were the committee’s aim. *