By: Natasha Archary
In a bid to outlaw smoking by 2025, New Zealand passes legislation to ban cigarette sales to anyone aged 14-years old.
The goal is to create a smoke-free generation said New Zealand Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall.
“We want to make sure young people never start smoking so we will make it an offence to sell or supply smoked tobacco products to youth. People aged 14 when the law comes into effect will never be able to legally purchase tobacco,” Verrall said.
There is no information currently on how the new rule will be policed. The new restrictions will be phased in gradually from 2024.
First, plans are to reduce the number of authorised tobacco retailers. By 2025 the aim is to drastically decrease nicotine requirements.
According to the latest statistics, New Zealand’s daily smoking rate has noted a significant drop since 2018.
The new policies have been welcomed by health experts, who applaud the change.
Smoking has already been replaced by vaping by a majority of New Zealand teenagers.
Also read: Vaping – the myths, facts and trend



