Cigarette giant denies aggressive campaign

Cigarette giant Philip Morris is denying carrying out an aggressive campaign by setting up a website for its customers.

From Monday, cigarette displays in shops will have to be hidden.

On top of ever-increasing taxes, the Government's considering introducing plain packaging for cigarettes and banning smoking in public areas.

Philip Morris spokesman Chris Bishop says the website is a response to what the company's consumers are interested in and worried about.

"They've told us that they can't see the point of things like the display ban, which is coming in from the 23rd, they're worried about the very large tax hikes."

Mr Bishop says customers say plain packaging won't stop them smoking.

Anti-smoking campaigner and Mana leader Hone Harawira says the website is just the first, mild step in what will become an all out war.

"They're very, very clever, they've got billions of dollars to spend they're trying to be subtle in the way they're going about it."

Mr Harawira says it comes as no surprise.

"I understand they're preparing legal action against our government over plain packaging and the display bands, and I expect Phillip Morris to come out all guns blazing over the next few years in a desperate attempt to stop New Zealand becoming the first western nation in the world to go smoke free."

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