New Zealand to ban tobacco for future generations

New Zealand will ban the sale of tobacco to its next generation in a bid to phase out smoking. It will be illegal to sell cigarettes or other tobacco products to anyone born after 2008 under a law expected to be enacted next year.

New Zealand is committed to achieving its goal of a tobacco-free generation by 2025 (5% of the total population using tobacco). Currently, 13.4% of all New Zealanders aged over 15 smoke, a proportion that rises to 31% among indigenous Māori. Māori also suffer higher rates of disease and death.

Significant inequalities among the country's populations

Although smoking rates are decreasing, there are still significant inequalities for Māori, Pacific peoples and those living in socio-economically disadvantaged areas. The current smoking rate for New Zealand adults is 13.4% in 2019/20, down from 16.6% in 2014/15 and 18.2% in 2011/12. In contrast, the current smoking rate for Māori is 31.4% in 2019/20, down from 38.1% in 2015/15 and 40.2% in 2011/12. Māori women have the highest smoking rate in New Zealand, at 32%.

A drastic and unprecedented measure to gradually eliminate smoking

The goal of a tobacco-free generation in the country by 2025 was set in 2011[1]. According to the government, the measures currently in place (taxes, smoke-free places, plain packaging, etc.) have made it possible to considerably reduce consumption, but there are still inequalities requiring additional measures. December 9, 2021[2], Ayesha Verrall, New Zealand's health minister, has unveiled a new plan to gradually raise the legal age at which a retailer can sell tobacco. Current regulations prohibit the sale of tobacco to New Zealanders under the age of 18, as in France and many other countries. But from 2027, the age limit will increase by one year every year and the nicotine content of cigarettes will be gradually reduced. The number of shops authorized to sell tobacco will be significantly reduced to fewer than 500, compared to around 8,000 currently.

The measures will make New Zealand one of the most restrictive countries in the world when it comes to tobacco control.

Keywords: New Zealand, tobacco-free generation, endgame

AE