The New Zealand parliament has passed a law prohibiting those born after 2008 from buying cigarettes or other tobacco products.
The country’s Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verall said, “We want to make sure young people never start smoking.”
The reform is part of New Zealand’s anti-smoking campaign.
“It will help people quit or switch to less harmful products, and make it much less likely that young people get addicted to nicotine,” said Prof Janet Hook from the University of Otago.
“I reckon it’s a good move really. Because right now there are a lot of young kids walking around with smokes in their mouths. People are enquiring as to where they obtain these cigarettes. And it’s also good for me too because I can save more money,” said one individual.
Tobacco generation
However it’s not all hunky-dory as there is concern that the ban may lead to the sale of cigarettes or tobacco on the black market and tighter border controls will be required.
The new law will automatically make people unable to purchase cigarettes after a time. For example 40 year olds won’t be be able to purchase cigarettes by 2050.
“Thousand of people will live longer, healthier lives and the health system will be NZ$5 billion (US$3.2 billion) better off from not needing to treat illnesses caused by smoking,” said Dr Verall.
New Zealand’s goal is to lower its national smoking rate to less than 5% by 2025, with the ultimate goal of zero smokers. Currently only 13% of its adult population are smokers, with the Māori population comprising most of the smokers. This segment also has a higher rate of mortality and illness.
Officials say the number of outlets authorized to sell cigarettes will decrease from 8,000 to 500.
Tobacco end game
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The new legislation will not prohibit the use of vaping although studies have shown that vaping isn’t exactly risk-free either. Cancer-causing chemicals have been seen in cigarette vapors.
The bill has received opposition from the ACT party whose party Deputy Leader Brooke van Velden said, “No one wants to see people smoke, but the reality is, some will and Labour’s nanny state prohibition is gong to cause problems.