The American Cancer Society has selected Dame Tariana Turia to receive an award that recognises her pursuit of a smokefree New Zealand by 2025.
Tariana Turia Photo: RNZ
She will be flying to the United Arab Emirates tomorrow to be honoured with the Luther L. Terry Award for Exemplary Leadership in Tobacco Control.
During her time as the associate Health Minister, Dame Tariana was an instrumental supporter of a number of legislative efforts, including: cumulative increases in tobacco excise taxes, banning tobacco retail displays, a lowering of the duty free allowance for cigarettes, and implementing plain packaging for tobacco products, among other measures.
The Luther L. Terry Awards are presented triennially and in conjunction with the World Conference on Tobacco or Health.
These awards recognise outstanding world-wide achievement in the field of tobacco control.
The international Selection Committee has chosen to award Dame Tariana in the Outstanding Community Service category.
The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday in conjunction with the 16th World Conference on Tobacco or Health in Abu Dhabi.