Anti-smoking Laws Not Good For Tourism
10/21/02
The Hospitality Association claims New Zealand's friendly tourism image could suffer under proposed anti-smoking laws.
Moves to ban smoking in pubs, cafes and restaurants have been put forward under the Smoke Free Environments Amendment Bill.
But HANZ chief executive Bruce Robertson says overseas tourists will not like the change.
He says Asian visitors in particular have a strong smoking culture, and will not want to visit if they cannot have a cigarette. It is estimated 70 percent of the adult population smoke in Asia.
Mr Robertson says a minimum air quality standard is a more practical solution.
He believes the proposed legislation will cost the industry $78-million in alcohol sales alone.