New Zealand Bans Cigarette Sales to Everyone Born After 2008

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As part of a set of new anti-smoking legislation that passed parliament on Tuesday and are among the strictest in the world, tobacco will no longer be sold to New Zealanders in the future.

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Selling tobacco to those who were born on or after January 1, 2009 is now illegal, and violators risk fines of up to NZ$150,000 ($95,910). A person will be subject to the prohibition for their entire life.

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The regulation also drastically reduces the number of outlets permitted to sell tobacco by 90% and lowers the amount of nicotine permitted in smoked tobacco products.

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Associate Health Minister Dr. Ayesha Verrall stated in a statement that "this legislation speeds the transition to a smoke-free future."

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The health system will benefit by $5 billion by not having to treat the ailments brought on by smoking, such as various types of cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and amputations.

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Thousands of people will live longer, healthier lives as a result. By the end of 2023, there will be only 600 retailers with tobacco sales licenses, down from 6,000.

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New Zealand, which already has one of the lowest adult smoking rates among the 38 members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development,

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is tightening its anti-smoking legislation even more as part of an initiative by the government to declare the nation "smoke-free" by 2025.

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The only country with tougher anti-smoking policies is Bhutan, which outlawed the selling of cigarettes in 2010.

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Adult smoking in New Zealand has decreased by half over the past ten years to 8%, with 56,000 people quitting in the last year.

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According to OECD data, 25% of adults in France smoked in 2021. Verrall claimed that the Act would contribute in bridging the 25% to 50% difference in life expectancy between Maori and non-Maori citizens.

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The law was denounced by ACT New Zealand, which owns ten of the 120 seats in parliament, who claimed it would drive people to the black market and destroy small businesses.

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Nobody likes to see someone smoking, yet some people will. And Labour's ban on nanny states would create issues, according to Deputy Leader Brooke van Velden.

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