Doctors say plain cigarette packaging will help cut smoking and should be introduced as soon as possible, Radio New Zealand reports.
The Medical Association was one of several groups to give its views on proposed plain packaging to Parliament's health select committee on Wednesday.
Chairman Mark Peterson said the harms from tobacco use are well established, with between 4000 and 5000 New Zealanders dying each year as a result of their smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke.
"It's our view that tobacco packaging is an effective form of tobacco marketing and the bill's proposed introduction on the plain paper packaging for all tobacco products will remove what is in effect the last major promotional mechanism available to the tobacco industry."
Dr Peterson said evidence is emerging in Australian that plain packaging, introduced there in late 2012, is having the intended effect, particularly on young people and those trying to quit.
