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New Zealand proposes new “Smokefree Generation” laws

Source: Unsplash/

If enacted, the proposed Smokefree 2025 plan would include a law to essentially bar anyone born after 2004 from ever buying tobacco.

New Zealand considers phasing out legal tobacco sales

New Zealand’s lawmakers have introduced a package of proposals aimed at eliminating cigarette use by 2025, firstly, by phasing out the legal sale of tobacco with a date-based ban on smoking products. Lawmakers are considering plans to gradually increase the legal age at which people can buy tobacco products as New Zealand aims to become smoke-free by 2025. So for example, if the proposed legislation were to come into effect on 1 January 2022, anyone younger than 18 years at that time, or those born after 1 January 2004, would never be able to lawfully purchase smoked tobacco products in New Zealand.

Tobacco smoking is the main cause of premature death and disability in New Zealand. It results in almost 5000 deaths every year, killing more than half of those who use it. A decade of relentless tax hikes has sent the price of a packet of smokes into the stratosphere: nowadays, a pack of 20 cigarettes will set you back more than NZ$30 (US$21.50)
In recent years, smoking in New Zealand has become an expensive hobby. Tobacco smoking is the main cause of premature death and disability in New Zealand. It results in almost 5000 deaths every year, killing more than half of those who use it. A decade of relentless tax hikes has sent the price of a packet of smokes into the stratosphere: nowadays, a pack of 20 cigarettes will set you back more than NZ$30 (US$21.50) Source: Unsplash/Luka Malic

Proposals include banning sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 2004

New Zealand has announced a suite of proposals aimed at outlawing smoking for the next generation and moving the country closer to its goal of being smoke-free by 2025, The Guardian reported last week.

The plans include the gradual increase of the legal smoking age, which could extend to a ban on the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products to anyone born after 2004, making smoking effectively illegal for that generation.

Under consideration is a significant reduction in the level of nicotine allowed in tobacco products, prohibiting non-biodegradable filters, setting a minimum price for tobacco, and restricting the locations at which tobacco and cigarettes can be sold.

Source: TheGuardian

Smoking accounts for one in four cancer deaths in New Zealand, and around half a million New Zealanders smoke daily. The effects of that are most-felt among Māori, New Zealand’s indigenous people: Māori women have the country’s highest smoking rates, with about 30% smoking daily. Cancer is the leading cause of death for Māori women and the second leading cause for Māori men. According to the Cancer Society, tobacco smoking is a leading cause of preventable death for the Maori in New Zealand.
Smoking rates are highest among Māori and Pasifika New Zealanders. Smoking accounts for one in four cancer deaths in New Zealand, and around half a million New Zealanders smoke daily. The effects of that are most-felt among Māori, New Zealand’s indigenous people: Māori women have the country’s highest smoking rates, with about 30% smoking daily. Cancer is the leading cause of death for Māori women and the second leading cause for Māori men. According to the Cancer Society, tobacco smoking is a leading cause of preventable death for the Maori in New Zealand. Source: Unsplash/Arun Sharma

Nz government is committed to preventing young people from starting to smoke

New Zealand’s Cancer Society welcomed the proposals, saying they would help to reduce inequalities. It said six shops on average were selling tobacco within a 10-minute walk of New Zealand secondary schools, and that there were four times more tobacco retailers in low-income communities where smoking rates are highest.

“This proposal goes beyond assisting people to quit. The government is demonstrating a commitment to preventing young people from starting to smoke and bring smoking rates down,” its chief executive, Lucy Elwood, said.

“These glaring inequities are why we need to protect future generations from the harms of tobacco,” said Ms Elwood. “Tobacco is the most harmful consumer product in history and needs to be phased out.”

Source: TheIndependent

New Zealand wants to eradicate smoking by 2025. Stubbing out health issues and plastic pollution. Source: Facebook/WorldEconomicForum

You can’t please all of the people all of the time

The Guardian reported that the plans have also faced criticism for potential unintended consequences, including the prospect of bankruptcy for small ‘dairy’ store owners, and the possibility of an expanded black market for tobacco. 

The government acknowledged this was a risk in its document outlining proposals: “Evidence indicates that the amount of tobacco products being smuggled into New Zealand has increased substantially in recent years and organised criminal groups are involved in large-scale smuggling,” it said. 

Right-wing political party ACT said lowering nicotine content could result in smokers buying and smoking more to get their hit. “New Zealand smokers who can least afford it will spend more on their habit and in turn do harm to those around them if the government mandates lower nicotine,” the ACT social development and children spokesperson, Karen Chhour, said in a press release.

The move also sparked questions about the extent to which the government should intervene in people’s lives: “There’s a philosophical principle about adults being able to make decisions for themselves, within reason,” journalist Alex Braae wrote in an analysis for the Spinoff.

Source: TheGuardian 

Make an Impact

10 SELF-HELP TIPS TO STOP SMOKING

If you want to stop smoking, you can make small changes to your lifestyle that may help you resist the temptation to light up.