New Zealand's new government revokes pioneering smoking ban to finance tax reductions
New Zealand's new government prioritizes tax cuts over its previously world-leading smoking ban, disregarding the challenges of quitting tobacco
Quitting tobacco is a difficult task, as any smoker will attest. Unfortunately, New Zealand's new government is not currently ready to tackle this issue. Despite passing a groundbreaking smoking ban aimed at saving lives and preventing youth from smoking just a year ago, the country has now reversed course in order to fund tax cuts. This decision has sparked outrage among public health officials and anti-tobacco organizations.
Canada announced the new regulation in a news release Wednesday.
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Last year, a new anti-smoking law was introduced, which prohibited the sale of tobacco to individuals born on or after January 1, 2009. The legislation was set to take effect by July 2024 and would have enforced strict penalties for any breaches, including fines of up to NZ$150,000 ($96,000).
The new Prime Minister of the country, Chris Luxon, defended the coalition alliance formed with the New Zealand First party and the ACT New Zealand party after the recent elections. He expressed disagreement with certain policies and argued that banning smoking would lead to a surge in black-market activity. Luxon highlighted the decline in smoking rates and reaffirmed his commitment to reducing tobacco use.
Speaking to CNN affiliate Radio New Zealand, Luxon said his government would continue education programs and "encourage people to take up vapes as a cessation tool."
On November 27, 2023, the newly appointed Prime Minister of New Zealand, Christopher Luxon, addressed the media at the swearing-in ceremony of the new government at Government House in Wellington.
New Zealands initial smoking ban was hailed by public health officials around the world.
Months after New Zealands announcement, Britain also unveiled plans to phase out smoking for new generations.
A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reiterated the government's dedication to phasing out smoking, despite New Zealand's recent decision to reverse their efforts. "We are committed to this important, long-term goal to create a smoke-free generation," the spokesperson stated. New Zealand's new finance minister, Nicola Willis, announced on Saturday that the measures to phase out smoking would be removed before March 2024, with the revenue from cigarette sales being redirected towards tax cuts.
Packs of cigarettes on sale in a smoke shop in Los Angeles, California.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
Smoking leads to more than eight million deaths globally each year, according to the World Health Organization - with one in four people across the world using tobacco.
Smoking rates in New Zealand, which were already among the lowest in the world, have continued to decline and are now at their lowest point ever recorded. Experts have noted that an estimated 56,000 smokers quit in 2022.
The New Zealand government's change in policy has shocked and drawn condemnation from public health officials and anti-tobacco groups. They have criticized the new government for prioritizing the economy and the tobacco industry over human lives.
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Former country health minister Ayeshea Verrall told CNN affiliate Radio New Zealand that lifting the ban goes against the previous government's efforts and would be a significant step backward for the country.
"It's concerning that the new government has undone measures that were projected to greatly reduce smoking and save 80,000 lives, all in order to finance tax cuts," Verrall said.
Health Coalition Aotearoa (HCA) expressed their disappointment with the new coalition's decision to repeal the smoking ban. They stated that this is a significant setback for public health and a victory for the tobacco industry at the expense of Kiwi lives. The group emphasized that there is still overwhelming support from New Zealanders for the world-leading smoke-free amendments.
"Turning the tide on harmful products that are entrenched in society cannot be done by individuals or even communities," HCA said. "It takes good - and brave - population level policies."
