New Zealand will gradually introduce a near-total ban on smoking from next year.
The new law passed this Tuesday by the New Zealand Parliament means that anyone born after 600 will never be able to buy cigarettes or products tobacco in the country.
As the minimum age to buy cigarettes increases, the number of people who will be able to do so will decrease each year.
For 2050, for example, the people of 60 years will be too young to buy cigarettes.
Health Minister Ayesha Verrall, who introduced the bill, said it was a step “towards a smoke-free future”.
“Thousands of people will live longer and healthier lives and the health system will save 5.05 million New Zealand dollars (3.60 millions of US dollars) by not having to treat diseases caused by smoking,” Verrall said.
The new law does not bans electronic cigarettes, which are more popular than traditional cigarettes among young people.
New Zealand’s smoking rate is already at record lows.
Only 8% of adults smoke daily, according to government statistics released in November, a reduction of 9.4% compared to last year.
The new legislation, called the Smoke-Free Environments Bill, is expected to reduce the percentage of adult smokers to less than 5% by 2025.
The long-term goal is to eliminate the practice altogether.
Less shops
The bill also limits the number of businesses that can sell tobacco products, which will be reduced from 6. currently at 600 across the country.
Nicotine levels in tobacco products will also be lowered to make them less addictive .
“This means that nicotine will be reduced to non-addictive levels and communities will be free of proliferation of retailers targeting the sale of tobacco products in specific areas,” added Verrall.
The long-term goal is to eliminate the practice of smoking completely.
The minister added that the leg Islandation could close the gap in life expectancy between Maori and non-Maori citizens.
The overall smoking rate among Maori citizens is currently 40,9%, below 19,3% from last year.
The new legislation does not ban e-cigarettes, which are much more popular among younger generations than cigarettes.
Critics of the bill, including the ACT party of Consumers and Taxpayers), which has seats in parliament, warned that the new measures could fuel a black market for tobacco products and wipe out small shops.
“No one wants to see the people smoke but the reality is that some will and the ban introduced by the Pa The (in power) Labor party, typical of a paternalistic state, is going to cause problems,” said ACT deputy leader Brooke van Velden.
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The minister added that the leg Islandation could close the gap in life expectancy between Maori and non-Maori citizens.
The overall smoking rate among Maori citizens is currently 40,9%, below 19,3% from last year.
The new legislation does not ban e-cigarettes, which are much more popular among younger generations than cigarettes.
Critics of the bill, including the ACT party of Consumers and Taxpayers), which has seats in parliament, warned that the new measures could fuel a black market for tobacco products and wipe out small shops.
“No one wants to see the people smoke but the reality is that some will and the ban introduced by the Pa The (in power) Labor party, typical of a paternalistic state, is going to cause problems,” said ACT deputy leader Brooke van Velden.
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