New Zealand bans selling tobacco products to Youth. You cant be able to purchase any item if you are born after 2008. This ban is “overdue” according to officials.
New Zealand is believed to be the first country in the world to implement the annually rising smoking age. Ensuring tobacco cannot be sold to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. The measures will mean that anyone born after 2008 cannot purchase cigarettes or tobacco products in their lifetime. While the level of nicotine in cigarettes available to older people will be reduced. Moreover, This decision will change the living regime of the country’s youth in so many aspects.
The number of retailers able to sell cigarettes could also be cut substantially, officials said. Along with that, The legislation is expected to be enacted next year.
Associate health minister Ayesha Verrall said at the law’s passing on Tuesday: “Thousands of people will live longer, healthier lives and the health system will be $5bn better off from not needing to treat the illnesses caused by smoking. Such as numerous types of cancer, heart attacks, strokes, amputations.”
New Zealand’s smoking rate is already at a historic low. Just 8% of adults smoke daily according to government statistics released in November down from 9.4% last year. However, It is hoped that the Smokefree Environments Bill will reduce that number to less than 5% by 2025. With the eventual aim of eliminating the practice.
The bill is also designed to limit the number of retailers able to sell smoked tobacco products. To 600 nationwide down from 6,000 currently and reduce nicotine levels in products to make them less addictive.
Critics
The new laws had critics among right-wing lawmakers. Who argued that the ban would fuel a black market and impact the livelihood of convenience-store owners who sell cigarettes.
“This will drive up the trade of black-market tobacco with high nicotine, Driving those addicted to cigarettes to turn to crime to feed their habit,”. Brooke van Velden, deputy leader of the ACT Party, wrote in a statement on Tuesday. “The gangs will be rubbing their hands with glee.”