New Zealand To Ban Cigarettes In Landmark Ruling

Cigarettes have been under fire from governments around the world as well as health organizations.

I don’t think anybody needs to be told that cigarettes are bad for you, but they still become a habit for many people, especially those who are younger and perhaps easily influenced.

Some countries have gone further than others in an effort to fight smoking. This includes New Zealand, which is trying to snuff out the use of tobacco once and for all.

Last year, the parliament in New Zealand announced a number of laws targeted at smoking. One of those laws specifically targeted those born in 2009 or later. Those individuals will never be able to buy cigarettes or tobacco products in New Zealand.

According to CNBC, the associate health minister Ayesha Verrall said:

“We want to make sure young people never start smoking so we will make it an offense to sell or supply smoked tobacco products to new cohorts of youth.” They went on to say that people who were 14 when the law comes into effect cannot ever purchase tobacco legally in the country.

This law is thought to be a landmark decision, as it is not seen anywhere else in the world. Along with it, they will cut the amount of nicotine that is allowed in tobacco products drastically. They are also cutting 90% of those who are allowed to sell tobacco products from 6,000 to 600. Those products will only be sold at specialty tobacco locations.

New Zealand is shooting for a smoke-free environment by 2025. Only 8% of adults in New Zealand smoke at this time, which is already down from last year, which was 9.4%. In two years, they are hoping to be below 5%.