A campaign to save local businesses from the Smokefree 2025 Act may not be the work of concerned dairy owners. 

A new report shows tobacco companies are supporting a campaign called Save Our Stores, which includes a petition to "save" dairies from smokefree initiatives.

Health Coalition Aotearoa Smokefree panel expert Andrew Waa isn't surprised the tobacco industry is behind this initiative, but he's concerned for the dairy owners themselves.

"I'd be concerned about the dairy owners, a lot of them who don't want to sell this stuff are being misrepresented. I'm pretty sure the dairies near where I live don't want to sell this stuff. So I think they're being exploited."

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