Tobacco: ban in New Zealand for those born after 2009.
The newly approved law bans smoking products for the new generations. It is the first Western country to adopt such a strict law.
New Zealand has launched a plan to phase out tobacco smoking. A lifetime ban on young people buying cigarettes. It stipulates that tobacco cannot be sold to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009.
The aim is to make New Zealand smoke-free by 2025. As a result, the number of retailers authorized to sell tobacco is also reduced from around 6,000 to 600. In addition, the amount of nicotine allowed in smoked tobacco also decreases. E-cigarettes have already become more popular than smoking in New Zealand. Other mandates limit the sale of cigarettes to those over 18, and tobacco packages must have graphic warnings. Cigarette tax increases have also been implemented .
Statistics New Zealand found that 8% of New Zealand adults smoke daily, up from 16% 10 years ago. Smoking rates are highest among indigenous Maori, with around 20% reporting that they smoke. Penalties of up to 150,000 New Zealand dollars, equivalent to around 142,000 US dollars, are envisaged for those who violate the ban on sales.
There is no good reason to allow the sale of a product that kills half of the people who use it and I can tell you that in the future, with the passage of this law, we will end this situation.
Ayesha Verrall, Minister of Health
