British American Tobacco is disappointed by the Government's plan to cut back duty-free tobacco allowances into New Zealand.
The Government plans to lower the duty-free limit or to entirely eliminate the allowance of tobacco products bought at New Zealand airports.
British American Tobacco says the proposal will penalise consumers, including tourists and international travellers, who are very important to New Zealand.
But Associate Minister for Health Tariana Turia says she makes no apology for considering more methods of reducing tobacco consumption.
At the moment, travellers can buy 200 cigarettes or 200 grams of loose tobacco duty-free when they arrive in New Zealand.
Mrs Turia says Ministry of Health officials are investigating changing that policy, as has been done in other countries, and those changes should be in place by Christmas.
