Prescription-only cigarettes 'not the way'

A proposal to make tobacco a prescription-only drug is causing fierce debate.

Its backer, Auckland councillor Arthur Anae, says the idea can work, given the Government's goal to make New Zealand smokefree by 2025.

Anae, also chair of Counties Manukau DHB's Pacific Advisory Committee, says New Zealand needs to start thinking outside the box.

"We have to come up with ideas to try to reach that target," he said. "The only way is if we are serious and if we want to stop it, make smokers get a prescription, as they do for a drug."

The former National MP said with a prescription, tobacco becomes needs-based and the doctor has the ultimate say on whether the patient really needs it or not.

But the Council for GPs and anti-smoking campaigners say shifting responsibility from the Government to the medical profession is not the way to make New Zealand smokefree.

"Asking doctors to make that decision - to give them something that they know is likely to kill the patient - I think is a very tough thing to ask them to do," said Ben Youden from Ash.

He said the health service would "grind to a very rapid halt" from having such a responsibility.

Smokers ONE News spoke to also said the idea is a step too far.

"I don't think it's anyone's right to do anything except for the smoker themselves," said Sinclair Allan.