NZ to ban future cigarette sales

New Zealand to Ban Future Cigarette Sales

New Zealand has announced that it will ban the sale of cigarettes in the country by 2025. The move is part of the government’s plan to make the country smoke-free by 2025. The decision has been welcomed by health experts and anti-smoking campaigners, who believe that it will help to reduce the number of people who die from smoking-related illnesses.

The ban will be phased in over the next few years, with the sale of cigarettes to people born after 2004 being prohibited from 2022. From 2025, the sale of cigarettes will be banned completely. The government has also announced that it will increase the tax on tobacco products by 10% each year for the next four years.

The decision to ban the sale of cigarettes has been met with mixed reactions. Some people believe that it is a step too far and that it will infringe on people’s freedom of choice. Others believe that it is a necessary step to protect public health and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.

The government has said that it will provide support to people who want to quit smoking, including access to nicotine replacement therapy and other cessation services. It has also said that it will work with retailers to help them transition to selling alternative products, such as e-cigarettes and nicotine patches.

New Zealand is not the first country to consider banning the sale of cigarettes. In 2018, the city of San Francisco became the first major city in the United States to ban the sale of cigarettes, as well as other tobacco products, in pharmacies and grocery stores. The move was aimed at reducing the number of young people who start smoking.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has welcomed New Zealand’s decision to ban the sale of cigarettes. The WHO has been calling for countries to take action to reduce smoking rates, which it says are responsible for the deaths of around 8 million people each year.

In conclusion, New Zealand’s decision to ban the sale of cigarettes is a bold move that will have far-reaching consequences. While it may be controversial, it is a necessary step to protect public health and reduce the burden on the healthcare system. The government’s commitment to providing support to people who want to quit smoking is also commendable. It is hoped that other countries will follow New Zealand’s lead and take action to reduce smoking rates and improve public health.