Associate health minister Tariana Turia says her fears of a backlash against a rise in the tax on tobacco have not been realised.
The Maori Party co-leader was in Hawera on World Smokefree Day to launch a sponsored challenge by Ngati Ruanui Tahua: 22 participants have 40 days to give up smoking.
She told Waatea News that smokers understand the reason for the price of their daily smoke rising.
Mrs Turia also said she hopes a select committee inquiry into the tobacco industry will urge the removal of cigarette advertising from retail outlets, despite a big push from the industry against the move.
