ANP
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 11:18
If it is up to New Zealand’s new government, there will be no smoking ban for future generations. New Zealand was well on its way to becoming the first country in the world to impose a lifelong ban on cigarettes. But the country’s new leader, Christopher Luxon, does not like the plan, reports the BBC.
The legislation was introduced under the leadership of progressive former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. She resigned early this year, before completing her term.
The ban on the sale of cigarettes would apply from next year to everyone born after 2008. The age limit for purchasing tobacco then increased by one year every year, so that that generation could never buy cigarettes again.
The approach was praised worldwide and in the Netherlands it was also called “a milestone”.
Black market
The intention of the more conservative Prime Minister Luxon to end the lifelong smoking ban is causing a stir in the country. Critics call it a major victory for the tobacco industry.
Luxon himself gives the reason that he is afraid of the rise of cigarettes on the black market and the tax money that will be lost as a result.
Health experts are critical of the decision. “We are shocked and disgusted. This is an incredible step backwards in leading health measures,” a University of Otago researcher told the BBC.
Research shows that the law could save 5,000 lives every year. More than 80,000 adults in the country quit smoking last year. More than 8 percent of the adult population in New Zealand still smokes.
2023-11-27 10:18:44
#Zealands #antismoking #policy #question
