22Jul 2026 ‘Thousands of lives can be saved’: Politicians urged to put public health ahead of industry profits by 22 July 2026, New Zealand; News, Health ; Layla Bailey-McDowell; Health experts are challenging political parties to prioritise public health over industry profits at this year’s election, calling for stronger laws targeting tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food to reduce preventable illness and ease pressure on the healthcare system. Health Coalition Aotearoa released its Prevention Brief 2026 on Monday, describing it as a blueprint for reducing preventable illness and improving health equity. The coalition said tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food accounted for one-quarter – or 350,000 – of healthy years of life lost in Aotearoa each year, while disproportionately affecting Māori, Pacific people, lower-income communities and children. Health Coalition Aotearoa co-chair Professor Boyd Swinburn said prevention had taken a back seat in recent years. “Thousands of lives can be saved and the stress on our overstretched healthcare system greatly reduced, if the next government gets serious about prevention: our Prevention Brief offers a blueprint.” He said prevention policies had been “reversed or shelved” in favour of industry-friendly approaches. “We need action to reduce the pile-up of preventable cases in the emergency rooms and doctors’ clinics around the country.” The coalition is calling for a return to stronger smokefree measures, including licensing retailers that sell tobacco and vaping products, reducing nicotine levels and expanding smoking cessation services. It is also proposing major reforms to alcohol laws, including tighter restrictions on alcohol marketing and availability, embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi into the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, raising the alcohol purchase age to 20, and increasing alcohol excise tax by 50 percent. For food policy, the coalition wants permanent funding for the Ka Ora, Ka Ako healthy school lunches programme, legislation restricting children’s exposure to unhealthy food marketing and the introduction of a sugary drinks levy similar to the United Kingdom model. The briefing also argues stronger lobbying laws and conflict-of-interest rules are needed to reduce what it describes as the “modern corruption” of commercial influence over public policy. The coalition said recent decisions, including the repeal of New Zealand’s smokefree legislation, highlighted the influence of powerful industries on government policy. Read the full article Related Posted in: 8.1. Literature about the influence of the alcohol industry on alcohol policy, News Alcohol Marketing
