Smoking: New Zealand is gradually banning cigarettes for posterity

“Thousands of people will live longer, healthier lives and the healthcare system will be better than NZ$5 billion ($3.2 billion), without needing to treat diseases caused by smoking,” Ferrall said.

The smoking rate in New Zealand has already dropped to historic levels. Just 8% of adults smoke every day, according to government statistics released in November, down from 9.4% last year.

It is hoped that the Smoke-Free Environments Bill will reduce this to less than 5% by 2025, with the ultimate goal of eliminating the practice completely.

The bill is also designed to limit the number of retailers able to sell smoking tobacco products to 600 nationwide, up from 6,000 now, and reduce nicotine levels in products to make them less addictive.

“This means nicotine will be reduced to non-addictive levels and communities will be free from the proliferation and conglomeration of retailers, who target and sell tobacco products in certain areas,” Ferral said.

He added that the legislation could narrow the difference in life expectancy between Māori and non-Māori. The overall smoking rate among Maori was 19.9%, down from 22.3% last year.

The new legislation does not ban e-cigarettes, which are becoming more popular among the younger generation than cigarettes.

Critics of the bill, including the Akt party in parliament, have warned the policy could fuel a black market in tobacco products and kill small shops.

“No one wants to see people smoking, but the truth is some will and state bans will cause problems,” said Brock van Velden, the party’s vice chairman.