New Zealand bans tobacco sales for new generation

• Legislation bans sale of tobacco to anybody born after January 1, 2009.
• Aimed at making New Zealand “smoke free” by 2025.
• 56,000 New Zealanders quit smoking last year, a record low; 8.3% still smoke.

New Zealand Parliament approved a historic anti-smoking law that forbids the sale of tobacco to anybody who was born on or after January 1, 2009.

The government’s effort to make the nation “smoke free” by 2025 includes the restriction, which is intended to discourage younger generations from taking up smoking.

By the end of 2023, the new law will reduce the number of stores with a tobacco sales license from 6,000 to 600.

Fines of up to NZ$150,000 (about $96,000) are imposed for violations of the new law.

“Thousands of people will live longer, healthier lives and the health system will be $5 billion better off from not needing to treat the illnesses caused by smoking, such as numerous types of cancer, heart attacks, strokes, amputations,” Associate Health Minister Ayesha Verrall said in a statement.

According to Verrall, New Zealand’s smoking rates, which are already among the lowest in the world, are declining. Over the past year, they went from 9.4% to 8%.

According to Verrall, the legislation would assist decrease the life expectancy disparity, which can be as much as 25% for women, between Maori and non-Maori citizens.

In an effort to make tobacco products less addictive, the Smoke free Environments and Regulated Goods (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Bill will also lower the quantity of nicotine that can be found in these products.

With 56,000 smokers quitting in the past year, the Ministry of Health reports that New Zealand’s smoking rate is currently the lowest it has ever been.

Vaping, which is not covered by the new regulations, is nevertheless common among young people in New Zealand. According to official statistics, 8.3% of people now vape regularly, up from 6.2% in the previous year.

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