Tobacco details sought

It is not known when the Health Ministry investigation into the price war between tobacco companies will wrap up.

The ministry began investigating cigarette pricing structures after The Timaru Herald reported last month that tobacco giant British American Tobacco New Zealand had issued a new price list to retailers, recommending a drop in their "limited edition" Freedom, Pall Mall and Holiday brands.

The ministry's tobacco control senior policy analyst, Brendon Baker, said the ministry had sought more detailed information on the matter to assess whether the pricing structures potentially breached the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990.

The ministry had also sought legal advice, he said.

In the latest price drop, a Central Otago retailer confirmed on Thursday both BATNZ and Imperial Tobacco had reduced the cost of several brandsto make smoking more affordable in the recession.

- © Fairfax NZ News