Sweeping job cuts proposed at the Ministry of Health could see five of thirteen roles in tobacco regulation axed.

The five jobs are proposed to be disestablished after the government made a U-turn on the world-first, 'Smokefree Generation' legislation.

But public health experts say that in repealing smokefree laws, these roles are more important than ever.

Māori health researcher and co-chair of Health Coalition Aotearoa Professor Lisa Te Morenga spoke to Ben Strang.