New Zealand to ban cigarettes for youth

by | Dec 14, 2022 | Current Affairs | 0 comments

  • New Zealand has passed into law a unique plan to phase out tobacco smoking for the next generation by imposing a lifetime ban on young people buying cigarettes.
  • Tobacco may never be sold to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009.
  • “We want to make sure young people never start smoking,” Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verall said.
  • The move is part of a sweeping crackdown on smoking announced by New Zealand’s health ministry.
  • “Thousands of people will live longer, healthier lives and the health system will be $5-billion better off from not needing to treat the illnesses caused by smoking, such as numerous types of cancer, heart attacks, strokes, amputations,” Verrall said at the law’s passing.