New Zealand’s U-turn On Smoking Ban Could Threaten Plans In Other Nations

 

New Zealand’s new centre-right coalition, led by Prime Minister Chris Luxon, intends to repeal regulations enacted by Jacinda Ardern’s previous Labour-led government that would have prohibited tobacco sales to anybody born after January 1, 2009.

The package of measures would have also decreased the quantity of nicotine allowed in smoked tobacco products and reduced the number of tobacco sellers by more than 90%. Health and tobacco activists have slammed the new repeal measures.

They established some of the most stringent anti-tobacco regulations in the world. “This is a major loss for public health, and a huge win for the tobacco industry, whose profits will be boosted at the expense of Kiwi lives,” said Boyd Swinburn, co-chair of New Zealand’s Health Coalition Aotearoa.

Health experts have expressed fear that the new approach may endanger lives and jeopardize international efforts to reduce smoking. HCA cited university study that suggested the laws might have saved the health-care system $1.3 billion over a 20-year period.

“There is a risk that New Zealand’s U-turn will prompt policymakers in England to reconsider,” said Sarah Jackson, principal research fellow in the University College London Tobacco and Alcohol Research Group.