Future generations of New Zealanders will now be banned from purchasing tobacco as part of a package of new anti-smoking laws that passed parliament on Tuesday and are among the most strict in the world. The suite of new laws includes a ban on selling tobacco to anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 2009, punishable by fines of up to NZ$150,000 ($95,910). The ban will remain in place for a person’s entire life. The legislation will also reduce the amount of nicotine allowed in smoked tobacco products and will cut the number of retailers able to sell tobacco by 90%. This legislation accelerates progress towards a smoke-free future. It’s estimated that thousands of people will live longer, healthier lives, and the health system will be $5 billion better off from not needing to treat illnesses caused by smoking, such as numerous types of cancer, heart attacks, strokes and amputations. Retailers licensed to sell tobacco will be cut from 6,000 to 600 by the end of 2023.
