New generations of New Zealanders will be banned from buying tobacco under a package of new anti-smoking laws passed by Parliament today, among the toughest in the world.
The legislative package provides for a ban on the sale of tobacco for those born on or after 1 January 2009. The ban will remain in place for life.
The legislation does not impose new restrictions on vaping but reduces the amount of nicotine allowed in tobacco products and limits the number of retailers by 90%.
"This legislation accelerates progress towards a tobacco-free future," said Deputy Health Minister Dr Ayesha Veral.
"Thousands of people will live longer, healthier lives, and the health system will save $5 billion by not having to provide treatment for tobacco-related illnesses such as various types of cancer, heart attacks, strokes, amputations."
Legal outlets are projected to have fallen from 6,000 today to just 600 by the end of 2023.
New Zealand, which already has one of the lowest adult smoking rates among the 38 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, is moving to further tighten its anti-smoking law as part of the government's drive for a 'cigarette-free' country by 2025.
Only Bhutan, which banned cigarette sales in 2010, will have a stricter anti-smoking law.
The number of New Zealand adults who smoke has halved in the past decade to 8%, with 56,000 quitting last year. According to OECD data, 25% of French adults smoked in 2021.
ACT New Zealand, a party that holds 10 of the 120 seats in Parliament, condemned the legislation, saying it would wipe out small shops and drive people into the black market.
"Nobody wants to see people smoking, but the reality is that some people will," said party vice-president Brooke van Velden."
Source: APM
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