3 Apr 2024

Tobacco companies accused of targeting young people on Tiktok

From Midday Report, 12:18 pm on 3 April 2024

Public health researchers say tobacco companies are targeting young people through advertising on Tiktok with illegal products.

It is currently illegal to sell the products such as chewing tobacco and snus, which is a pouch of powdered tobacco placed between the upper lip and the gum.

But researchers say the industry is already out there promoting them. Reforming the regulation of smokeless tobacco and oral nicotine products is part of National's coalition agreement with New Zealand First.

University of Otago researcher Dr Jude Ball spoke to Charlotte Cook.