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New Zealand’s Deputy Health Minister Aisha Verrall said: “Thousands of people will live longer, healthier lives, and the health system will save $5 billion by not having to deal with smoking-related diseases such as certain types of cancer, heart attack or stroke.” About the new law prohibiting people born after January 1, 2009 from purchasing tobacco products.
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Aisha Verrall, Deputy Minister of Health
Photography: Marty Melville/AFP
In addition to the ban, there are a number of other measures that will ensure that access to tobacco products becomes more difficult. On the one hand, the permissible nicotine content will be significantly reduced, and on the other hand, tobacco products will be available only in special tobacco stores – only 600 stores instead of the previous 6,000.
A national consultation on the law was held last April, and on the basis of it, the ruling Labor Party decided that the smoking ban program enjoyed broad social support. The law will come into effect at the beginning of 2023. New Zealand aims to become smoke-free by 2025.
“We would like young people to never start smoking, so that we can consider the sale and transfer of tobacco products a misdemeanor (…).” After the law came into effect, they are now 14 years old [vagy fiatalabbak] “They will never be able to buy tobacco again,” Verrall said.
The number of New Zealanders who smoke regularly has fallen to a record low since last year, while e-cigarette use has risen sharply. (guardian)
