Mli'il,rn, or
HEALTH
133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
6 August 2021
T +64 4 496 2000
Cam Slater
By email: [FYI request #16003 email]
Ref:
H202108347
Tena koe Cam
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) on 8 July 2021 for
information relating to Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 Action Plan.
You specifically requested:
"Since 19 October 2020, ... I wish to request the following from the Minister of Health,
Associate Ministers of Health and the Ministry of Health, in connection to the Smokefree
Aotearoa 2025 Action Plan:
'�) Copies of all letters, emails, analysis, studies and reports connected to proposals to
incorporate genetically engineered tobacco referred to on page 8 of the Impact Summary
Proposals for a
Smokefree Aotearoa. For the absence of doubt this should include
tobacco created using techniques broadly described as being GE or genetically modified."
Some email correspondence has been found within the scope of your request. However, this
part of your request is withheld in full under section 9(2)(f)(iv) of the Act, to maintain the
constitutional conventions that protect the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers and
officials.
"8) Copies of all letters, emails, briefings, correspondence, studies and reports with and
between:
- 22 Century Corporation (referred to in the Regulatory Impact Statement on page 8 in
connection to the "Moonlight" brand) to include officers, agents or representatives of this
company;
- Philip Morris International (referred to in the Regulatory Impact Statement on page 8 in
connection to the "Next" brand'J to include officers, agents or representatives of this
company;
- British American Tobacco to include officers, agents or representatives of this company;
- Imperial Brands to include officers, agents or representatives of this company;
- Japan Tobacco International to include officers, agents or representatives of this
company; and
- Liggett Vector Brands to include officers, agents or representatives of this company."
The Ministry has undertaken a search for any information within the scope your request. The
Ministry has also considered documents between the Ministry and each of the named parties in
this request. This document titled
'Question B Compiled documents' includes information
requested since 19 October 2020 to the date of your request. Some information has been
withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the Act to protect the privacy of natural persons.
