New Zealand branded cigarettes provoke outrage
A report in The Press in NZ says that anti-smoking groups are outraged at the sale of duty-free cigarettes emblazoned with the brand name ‘New Zealand’ and featuring the silver fern on their packaging.The Smokefree Coalition and Te Reo Marama (Maori Smokefree Coalition) are calling for immediate withdrawal of the cigarettes, available at some duty-free stores.
The black-and-silver packaged cigarettes are made in Luxembourg, but bear the silver fern with the tag line “luxuriously mild cigarettes”.
Te Reo Marama director Shane Kawenata Bradbrook discovered the cigarettes while returning from a trip abroad saying, it is unclear which company is marketing the product.
He said it was outrageous the silver fern – worn by top sportspeople such as the All Blacks, Silver Ferns and New Zealand Olympians – was connected to a product that caused illness and premature death.
Tourism NZ CEO George Hickton said the organisation, which markets New Zealand overseas, was not happy with the use of the fern on the packet.
Mr Hickton said Tourism NZ was looking at whether there were any legal channels that could be pursued to stop the use of the fern.
However, he said, while the use of the fern image on cigarettes was regrettable because of its associations with New Zealand, it was not expected to do any long-term damage to New Zealand’s image overseas.
Smokefree Coalition director Mark Peck said the cigarettes were a deceitful attempt to exploit New Zealand’s image, adding, “This association of our nation’s positive attributes with poisonous and addictive cigarettes is despicable.
“Describing them as `luxuriously mild’ further peddles the lie that so-called mild cigarettes are somehow better for you.”
Both groups agreed the World Health Organisation’s framework convention on tobacco should halt the sale of duty-free cigarettes.
Massey University marketing professor Janet Hoek said the brand could harm New Zealand’s image, adding, “Packaging is incredibly important for the tobacco industry as they’re not allowed to advertise or give sponsorship.”
Report by The Mole and The Press
John Alwyn-Jones
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026