While New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Arden, is no stranger to international headlines, the country’s legislation, however, rarely receives the same treatment.
That was until a new controversial bill banning people born in or after 2009 from purchasing cigarettes put New Zealand’s law reform in the spotlight.
In a world first, a series of strict new anti-smoking laws have been passed through Parliament this week as part of the government’s Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 Action Plan.
As part of this action plan, the new legislation ensures that young people will not be able to legally obtain cigarettes or tobacco for the entirety of their lifetime.
This bill, when introduced into law, will impact those born on or after January 1 2009, meaning even after this demographic turns 18 they will still be prohibited from purchasing tobacco.
Fines of up to $150,000 NZD will reportedly be issued to anyone found violating the new law.
Below, everything you need to know about the historic law.
What Does New Zealand’s Lifetime Smoking Ban Entail?
The series of new laws introduced by New Zealand’s parliament are part of a policy to make the country smoke free by 2050.
According to the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Bill, these laws are aimed at making “smoked tobacco products less appealing and addictive” and “prevent young people from taking up smoking by prohibiting the sale of smoked tobacco products”.
As per the initial briefing form, the laws affecting this new ‘smoke free generation’ will come into effect in 2027 “when this cohort turns 18”.
“These changes are intended to prevent youth, and every generation to follow, from ever taking up smoking,” reads the bill.
Speaking on the legislation, New Zealand’s Associate Health Minister, Dr. Ayesha Verrall, remarked in a statement that “thousands of people will live longer, healthier lives”.
“The health system will be $5 billion better off from not needing to treat the illnesses caused by smoking, such as numerous types of cancer, heart attacks, strokes, amputations,” she added.
Alongside this strict new law, the bill will decrease the retailers around the country to a tenth of the size of what they are now, slashing some 6000 tobacco retailers down to just 600.
Unless the retailer is an approved smoked tobacco retailer, the proprietor will be prohibited from selling products 18 months after the bill’s commencement, as per the new amendment.
“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,” explained Verrall.
“These measures are important for equitable health for Māori. They will close the life expectancy gap for Māori women by 25% and by 10% for Māori men.
“We’ve done well as a country to get to this point, but there is more to do. That’s why the legislation passed … is so important. It puts us firmly on the path to Smokefree 2025.”
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