To shape a smoke-free future, New Zealand has begun the process of a total tobacco ban. In legislation passed by the country, people born after 2009, will never be able to buy cigarettes or tobacco products in New Zealand.
Credits – VOA Learning English
The bill is being viewed as a step towards a smoke-free future by Minister for Research, Ayesha Verrall, who introduced the bill in the parliament.
New Zealand has been one of the few countries with commendable control over the smoke rate. According to the statistics which were released by the government, only 8% of the country’s adults smoke daily. This is a fall from last year’s 9.4%.
New Zealand to impose the first ban on cigarettes. Credits : Republic TV
“Thousands of people will live longer, healthier lives and the health system will be NZ$5 billion better off from not needing to treat the illnesses caused by smoking, said, Dr. Verrall.
Vape Allowed
Vape, which has become more popular among the youth as compared to cigarettes, has not been included in the ban. However, those in opposition have put forth their apprehensions of this bill harming small shops and promoting the black market.
Credits – American Heart Association
“No one wants to see people smoke, but the reality is, some will, and Labour’s nanny state prohibition is going to cause problems,” said Brooke van Velden, Deputy Leader, ACT.
Smoke-free country by 2025
The bill was passed given the plans for a smoke-free future for the country. Besides putting on the ban, the parliament has also passed a few more laws as accompaniments. The amount of nicotine in tobacco will be reduced and it will only be sold from special tobacco shops, and not from corner stores and supermarkets.
According to a report by The Guardian, there will also be a reduction in the number of stores that will allow cigarettes. The shops will be brought down from 6,000 to 600, across the country. The laws will be implemented in 2023.
