New Zealand’s newly elected government has announced its intention to discard the planned smoking ban, a groundbreaking legislation initiated by the previous Jacinda Ardern-led administration. The law, set to come into effect next year, aimed to prohibit the sale of cigarettes to those born after 2008, with the primary objective of curbing youth initiation into smoking.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis disclosed the decision on Saturday (25), citing plans to utilize the funds allocated for the smoking ban to facilitate tax cuts. Health experts and the public have strongly criticized the unexpected reversal. Professor Richard Edwards from the University of Otago labeled the move as “appalling” and a “retrograde step on world-leading, absolutely excellent health measures.”
The Smokefree laws, enacted last year, garnered international acclaim for their comprehensive strategies, including restrictions on tobacco retailers and a reduction in nicotine levels in cigarettes. Health experts estimated that these measures could potentially save up to 5,000 lives annually.
Despite facing opposition from business groups concerned about revenue loss, as well as lawmakers who argued a potential rise in the black market for tobacco, the Smokefree laws were hailed for their potential impact on public health. The unexpected repeal followed weeks of policy negotiations after the October 14 election, with coalition partners, the populist New Zealand First and libertarian Act, insisting on reversing the legislation.
Critics express concern over the potential consequences for public health, considering smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths in New Zealand. Smoking rates are notably high among the indigenous Māori population, and the policy was anticipated to have a positive impact.
While the repeal poses challenges to achieving public health goals, New Zealand maintains its commitment to reducing the national smoking rate to 5% by 2025, ultimately aspiring to eliminate smoking altogether. The repeal must receive parliamentary approval, where the government holds a majority. Public health advocates are apprehensive about the potential impact on the health system, as modelling had suggested the Smokefree policy could save approximately NZ$1.3 billion over the next two decades.
-BBC-
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