adminWELLINGTON. – New Zealand has taken another step to achieve its goal of becoming smoke-free by 2025.
On Tuesday, the country’s Parliament passed an anti-smoking bill that bans the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.
The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Bill, which aims to phase out tobacco smoking, will be enforced in 2023.
What does the new anti-smoking law state? How vaping has ramped up in New Zealand? We explain.
Anti-smoking law
Under the new legislation, only 600 stores would be allowed to sell tobacco nationwide instead of about 6,000.
The legal amount of nicotine in tobacco products would also be reduced, reported The Guardian.
As per CNN, a fine of up to NZ$150,000 (about US$96,000) would be imposed on those violating the new law.
But, with a population of just about five million people, New Zealand’s policies are unlikely to make any impact in the global tobacco market.
Associate Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall told lawmakers in Parliament, “There is no good reason to allow a product to be sold that kills half the people that use it”.
“And I can tell you that we will end this in the future, as we pass this legislation”, she added.
“It means nicotine will be reduced to non-addictive levels and communities will be free from the proliferation and clustering of retailers who target and sell tobacco products in certain areas.”
Further, the minister argued that billions of dollars would be saved as tobacco-related health issues could be prevented.
“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 already controls the sale of cigarettes for those aged 18 and above.
The country also prohibits smoking in several indoor workplaces and on public transport. Tobacco packs also have to carry graphic health warnings and cigarettes are sold in standardised packs in the country.” – msn.
Online Reporter