Tobacco use significantly increases the risk of oral cancer and the demand for oral health care, and Maori are among the worst hit, says the New Zealand Dental Association.

Associate Director Graeme Ting said the increased need for health care has a flow on effect for smokers, a great proportion of whom are Maori, and that higher demands for general health care, had an economic impact on both smokers and the health system.

"The New Zealand Dental Association would support government-led initiatives and services that support Maori quitting smoking. Such initiatives would offer Maori better control over their own health and reduce the economic, social and aspirational burdens on whanau caused by smoking."

The New Zealand Dental Association has made these comments in support of fellow Smokefree Coalition members who are making oral submissions today to the Maori Affairs Select Committee Inquiry into the tobacco industry and the consequences of tobacco use for Maori.

Ting said the Dental Association supports the Vision for a tobacco free New Zealand by 2020 put forward by groups such as Te Hotu Manawa Maori, the Heart Foundation of New Zealand, ASH, the Health Promotion Forum, SPAN and Tala Pasifika.

"Not only has smoking been linked to increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, breathing disorders, lung cancer and sudden infant death syndrome, but it is a key risk factor for the loss of teeth through gum disease and tooth decay," he said.

"These losses have been associated with poor self-esteem, a reduced ability to eat and chew a variety of foods for a healthy diet. This can lead to a lower quality of life."

In its own submission to the Inquiry the New Zealand Dental Association urged the Select Committee to support the recommendations made in the Smokefree Coalition's Vision document which include banning tobacco displays, raising tobacco prices and improving quitting services.

Ting said the goal of the Vision strategy was to steadily reduce demand for tobacco so it is phased out completely as a consumer product by 2020.

To view the Smokefree Coalition's recommendations, visit the Vision page on its website at http://www.sfc.org.nz/thevision.php.