On Tuesday, the government of New Zealand announced that it will repeal a world-first law prohibiting tobacco sales for future generations. Despite warnings from researchers and campaigners about the risk of people dying as a result, the decision to overturn the law has been made.
In July, the world’s toughest anti-tobacco rules are set to go into effect. These regulations would ban sales to individuals born after January 1, 2009, reduce nicotine content in smoked tobacco products, and decrease the number of tobacco retailers by over 90%. The comprehensive measures aim to significantly curb tobacco-related health risks.
In October, the newly elected coalition government confirmed that the repeal would take place on Tuesday as a matter of urgency. This decision allows the government to repeal the law without seeking public comment, as previously announced.
Associate Health Minister Casey Costello stated that the coalition government is committed to reducing smoking. However, they will employ a different regulatory approach to discourage the habit and reduce the harm it causes.
“I will soon be taking a package of measures to cabinet to increase the tools available to help people quit smoking,” Costello said, adding that vaping regulations would be tightened to deter young people.
The decision to heavily criticize has been made due to its likely impact on health outcomes in New Zealand. Additionally, concerns have been raised that it will disproportionately affect Maori and Pasifika populations, who have higher smoking rates.
Otago University researcher Janet Hoek asserts that repealing contradicts robust research evidence and ignores measures strongly supported by Maori leaders. Additionally, it will perpetuate health inequities.
“Large-scale clinical trials and modeling studies show the legislation would have rapidly increased the rates of quitting among smokers and made it much harder for young people to take up smoking,” said Hoek, co-director of a group researching ways to reduce smoking.
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