New Zealand to backtrack on radical tobacco plans – Analysis

The new government coalition in New Zealand plans to repeal anti-smoking laws implemented by the previous administration. Instead, they propose supporting age-appropriate access to nicotine products. Health organizations have expressed disappointment with this decision and have urged the government to maintain smoke-prevention policies.

The previous Labour-led government had introduced amendments that would make it illegal to sell tobacco to individuals born after 2008 by 2027. These amendments also aimed to reduce the number of retail outlets permitted to sell tobacco starting from 2024. Additionally, the policies included plans to ban the sale of high-nicotine smoking tobacco products by 2025. However, the new National Party-led coalition government, which won the general elections last month, plans to repeal these amendments by March. They also intend to change vaping product requirements and apply taxes only to smoked products.

This policy reversal was supported by the New Zealand First party, which argues for age-appropriate access to nicotine, comparing it to the safety of caffeine when consumed by adults. Health Coalition Aotearoa (HCA), a health organization in the country, has condemned the government’s decision, stating that it will cost lives and have a significant impact on the Maori population, which has the highest smoking rates.

HCA co-chair Professor Boyd Swinburn criticized the repeal, claiming that the previous smoke-free policies would save the country $790 million over the next 20 years and reduce mortality rates. The decision by the New Zealand government is in contrast to the increasing strict regulations on tobacco and vaping products implemented by other countries, such as the UK, Malaysia, and Singapore.

In the UK, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has indicated a plan to ban cigarette sales to individuals born after January 1, 2009, with the goal of creating a smoke-free generation by 2040 and eventually eliminating smoking nationwide.

Source: RT news: New Zealand to backtrack on radical tobacco plans