New Zealand bans tobacco purchases under the age of 14, 'the next generation will not be able to buy tobacco forever,' said Deputy Minister of Health



On December 9, 2021, the New Zealand Government issued a law banning the purchase of tobacco products under the age of 14. This is part of the Smokefree 2025 Action Plan, which will reduce the number of smokers in the country to less than 5% by 2025, and there are plans to ban all future tobacco purchases by the next generation.

Historic step towards smokefree future | Beehive.govt.nz

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/historic-step-towards-smokefree-future

Smokefree 2025: 14-year-olds will be banned from smoking under new law --NZ Herald
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/smokefree-2025-14-year-olds-will-be-banned-from-smoking-under-new-law/YL3JJXAZAKY53KLUSHLGDGLIH4/

New Zealand's Deputy Health Minister Ayesha Verrall is concerned that smoking is the cause of one-quarter of all cancers in the country, especially the harmful effects of tobacco among Maori and low-income earners. 'There is no safe age to start smoking,' he said, pushing for enforcement of a law prohibiting the purchase of tobacco under the age of 14 and gradually raising the age limit of this law so that all people can buy tobacco in the future. I am planning to lose it.

A 2021 survey of 19,000 adolescents aged 15 to 17 in New Zealand found that nearly 20% smoke at least once a day for 10 years. It is said that it has increased by 7 points from the previous survey. 'We want to keep young people from smoking,' said Varal. 'As the years go by, young people today and future generations will be permanently unable to buy tobacco.'


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There are also concerns about the smuggling of tobacco and the expansion of the black market due to the introduction of this law. Regarding this, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said, 'Although the excise tax increase that has already been enforced has seen the expansion of the black market, it was found that simply continuing to raise the price would not be effective in quitting smoking, so other measures need to be taken. There was. '

The new law is expected to be passed in December 2022 and will come into force in 2023. In addition to the age limit, the sale of cigarettes other than low nicotine is also prohibited. Support measures for smokers will also be planned, and Mr. Varal said, 'I know it's really difficult to break habits. Smokers will need a lot of support.'



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