An end to cigarettes? New Zealand aims to create smoke-free generation

[mysteryowl]

New Zealand has announced a suite of proposals aimed at outlawing smoking for the next generation and moving the country closer to its goal of being smoke-free by 2025.

The plans include the gradual increase of the legal smoking age, which could extend to a ban on the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products to anyone born after 2004, making smoking effectively illegal for that generation.

Also under consideration was a significant reduction in the level of nicotine allowed in tobacco products, prohibiting filters, setting a minimum price for tobacco, and restricting the locations where tobacco and cigarettes can be sold.

“We need a new approach,” Associate Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall said on Thursday, announcing the changes. “About 4,500 New Zealanders die every year from tobacco, and we need to make accelerated progress to be able to reach that goal [of Smokefree 2025]. Business-as-usual without a tobacco control program won’t get us there.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/16/new-zealand-aims-to-create-smoke-free-generation-cigarettes

I love New Zealand! Wish I could live there!

[SoonerPride]

1. What about my freedom to get lung cancer?!

I wish we could adopt some of these ideas here.

As a former smoker anything we can do to stigmatize and monetize people into better choices is all welcomed.

[MiniMe]

5. They have tried to monetize smoking

When I first started, it was 35c a pack. When I quit a few years ago, it was up to $7-$8 a pack. In New York, it was ridiculously expensive. I don't live in NY, I live outside of DC. You pay it when you are determined to smoke and you bitch about the "sin tax"

[BoringUsername]

2. Really not good for people

Both of my husband's parents were lifelong smokers and they both died of cancer at the age of 64.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

3. That would be nice.

I get so tired of the justifications people use to smoke.

It's my opinion that anyone who started smoking (at least in this country) after the 1964 Surgeon General's report is an idiot and deserves no sympathy.

[marie999]

4. Alcohol should be illegal, caught driving over the speed limit permanent loss of license, jaywalkers

not allowed to walk alone, only healthy food should be allowed. Overweight, must go on a diet. If people want to smoke the government should not have a right to tell them they can't.

[USALiberal]

6. Sounds like you support anti maskers too! Nt

[Phoenix61]

7. They tried that alcohol illegal thing.

Worked out great for the Kennedy’s and the mob.