Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in studio with Guyon Espiner for 30. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
PM Luxon on advice used to cut excise tax from heated tobacco
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is adamant Cabinet ministers are following their own conflict of interest processes as a minister complains about health officials undermining the government's smoking reforms.
According to 1News Associate Health Minister Casey Costello has accused health officials of undermining the government's smoking reforms by questioning advice she used to justify a tax cut on heated tobacco products.
PM Luxon on advice used to cut excise tax from heated tobacco
Luxon told Morning Report the important thing was Costello's focus on bringing down daily smoking rates.
The failure of officials to declare a conflict of interest was "unacceptable" and "frustrating".
He declined to elaborate on whether Shane Jones and Winston Peters had declared conflicts of interest regarding tobacco policy decisions made by Cabinet.
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