New Zealanders born after 2008 will never be able to buy cigarettes

New Zealand will gradually implement a near-total tobacco ban from 2023 by preventing anyone born after 2008 from buying cigarettes indefinitely, as well as reducing the amount of nicotine in products available to the sale.

This is a radical way to fight against smoking in New Zealand.

According to the text adopted Tuesday by the Parliament and intended to reduce the number of people consuming tobacco products, the legal age to be able to smoke will be raised each year.

“The provisions are a step towards a tobacco-free future”, according to Minister Ayesha Verrall, who was the driving force behind the legislation.

“Thousands of people will live longer and healthier lives, and the healthcare system will benefit from NZ$5 billion by not having to treat diseases caused by smoking, such as many types of cancer, heart attacks, strokes and amputations,” she said.