Tobacco giant British American Tobacco New Zealand blames govt for rise in violent dairy robberies, calls for minimum jail sentences

From: New Zealand  Herald
Manish Thakkar from Parkwood SuperValue is calling on the Government to increase police patrolling and fund cigarette vending machines to prevent violent attacks on workers. Photo / Natalie Akoorie

By: Nikki Preston

New Zealand’s biggest tobacco company is blaming the government’s hefty tobacco excise for the rise in violent robberies on dairy and petrol stations workers and wants it to take urgent action, including introducing tougher minimum jail sentences.

The call comes after a spate of attacks on dairy workers who are now fearing for their lives as armed robbers enter their stores steal to cigarettes and cash from them.

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