Source: New Zealand Herald
Date: 2010-03-06
Author: Martin Johnston

The Deans describe themselves as a family "orphaned by the
tobacco industry" after losing their mother at a young age.

Charlotte Dean was 35 when she died from a heart attack in 1987
while being treated for cancer. She left five children, aged from
5 to 13.

All now adults, they still have their father, Grant Dean - who
gave up smoking last year - but the loss of their mother took a
heavy toll.

"We consider ourselves orphaned by the tobacco industry, by the
lethal product they produce and sell here in Aotearoa New
Zealand," the family say in their submission to the parliamentary
inquiry into the tobacco industry.

The public hearings for the inquiry, conducted by the Maori
affairs select committee, start on Monday in Rotorua. . . .


However, the submission of New Zealand\'s leading tobacco
company, British American Tobacco, does not envisage a future
without the weed.

But it does want to "work together" with the Government and
health agencies on tobacco control, an approach rejected by most
public health experts, who can find no legitimate role for the
industry.

British American says it does not promote tobacco use among
Maori. . . .

THE INQUIRY

* Starts on Monday, in Rotorua.

* Conducted by Parliament\'s Maori affairs committee.

* Seen as a turning point in tobacco control.

* Initiated by Maori Party.

* Maori Party MP Hone Harawira wants tobacco banned.

Inquiry will:

* Probe industry on past promotion of tobacco to Maori.

* Weigh impact of tobacco on Maori.

* Recommend new control measures.