Factory continues to give free smokes to staff

Last updated 08:39 27/08/2012

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A tobacco factory in Petone is continuing to hand out free cigarettes to its workers, even as health authorities investigate the practice.

Imperial Tobacco's commercial boss Brendan Walker this month confirmed free cigarettes were available to staff during breaks, for "product testing".

Hutt Valley Regional Public Health officials met the company last week to discuss the policy. An Imperial Tobacco spokeswoman confirmed "product testing" would remain in place in the meantime.

Greater Wellington environmental regulation manager Al Cross said it had received four complaints about smells from the plant this year. After one investigation in April, Imperial Tobacco was fined $1000 for breaching rules relating to odour. In the other cases it was found no breach had occurred.

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