At the helm of New Zealand’s incoming conservative government, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has officially declared the abandonment of what were once considered groundbreaking anti-smoking measures. Termed world-leading, these measures have recently come under scrutiny since Luxon’s announcement on Monday. Health advocates are decrying this decision as a “significant victory for the tobacco industry.” The move raises questions about the future of New Zealand smoking laws under Luxon’s leadership.
Initiated during the tenure of former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, the “generational smoking ban” aimed to prevent the sale of cigarettes to individuals born after 2008. Although praised by public health experts and anti-smoking proponents, similar measures were recently introduced in the United Kingdom.
Upon assuming office on Monday, Luxon announced that New Zealand would discard these laws before they could take effect, expressing concerns about the potential growth of a thriving black market. While acknowledging the tax revenue generated from ongoing cigarette sales, Luxon emphasized that financial gain was not the primary motivation behind the decision.
The Health Coalition Aotearoa, a prominent anti-smoking group in New Zealand, condemned the policy reversal, describing it as an affront to the nation. The group stated, “This is a significant setback for public health and a considerable advantage for the tobacco industry, whose profits will rise at the expense of Kiwi lives.”
Luxon argued that implementing a cigarette ban could lead to the emergence of an untaxed black market. The legislation, slated to commence later this year, aimed to rapidly reduce tobacco product use. Despite the relatively low smoking rate among adults in New Zealand (at just eight percent), the previous government envisioned a future where the country would be entirely smoke-free. The new law would have also sharply limited the number of retailers authorized to sell tobacco products, reducing the national figure from 6,000 to a maximum of 600.
Read more about “A drug to lower the risk of breast cancer, will soon be made available to nearly 300,000 women”.