Toy cigarettes may face ban

The Government may include a ban on toy cigarettes in smokefree legislation to be considered by Parliament next month.

Green MP Sue Kedgley had asked for an investigation into the sale of toy cigarettes which emit a white smoke-like substance, saying they essentially taught young people how to become smokers.

Associate Health Minister Damien O'Connor said Parliament's health committee - of which Ms Kedgley is a member - examined the issue during its consideration of the Smokefree Environments Bill.

However, they had decided not to make provision to ban toy cigarettes in the legislation. Mr O'Connor had asked for advice on the discussion and consideration of the matter.

He believed issues around the definition of what constituted a toy cigarette were among reasons they were not included in the bill.

"It does seem a little surprising that such gimmicks weren't included in their consideration for banning and I'm certainly alarmed that these cigarettes are falling into the hands of young children," he said.

"My advice so far is that they didn't consider these trick cigarettes a huge issue but clearly anything that encourages uptake by young people needs to be removed."

Parliament would consider the Smokefree Environments Bill next month and it was possible it could be amended to include a ban.

"I'm certainly not opposed to [amendments] or consideration of this issue to prevent the sale of these trick cigarettes, especially to young children," Mr O'Connor said.

Ms Kedgley - who Mr O'Connor believed was absent during the committee's consideration of the issue - said selling plastic replicas of cigarettes was totally irresponsible.

"Cigarettes are not toys. They are killers."

- NZPA