New Zealand wants to ban the sale of cigarettes to young people born after 2008… For this, the legal age to buy them will gradually be extended.
- Globally, 5% of boys and 2% of girls have already smoked by the age of 11 according to the WHO.
- Tobacco kills more than 8 million people every year across the planet.
In France, smoking is the first preventable cause of death, with more than 75,000 deaths estimated in 2015 according to Public Health France. Globally, according to a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO), 15% of 15-year-old adolescents say they have smoked a cigarette at least once in the past 30 days, and nearly 1 in 3 say have already tried smoking (27% of girls and 29% of boys). Worrying figures for the new generations.
Gradually increase the age at which the purchase of cigarettes is legal
Faced with this public health issue, New Zealand has taken a drastic decision: to ban the sale of cigarettes to young people born after 2008. So far, no government in the world has taken such a measure. In detail, the country wants to put in place a plan to gradually raise the age at which tobacco can be purchased. Ultimately, the goal is to completely ban the sale of this substance.
“A historic day”
Currently, as in France, young New Zealanders under the age of 18 are not allowed to buy tobacco. With the new measure, this legal age will increase by one year every year from 2027.”This is a historic day for the health of our peoplesays Dr Ayesha Verrall, Associate Minister of Health in a communicated. We want to make sure young people never start smoking, so we’re going to make the sale of tobacco products illegal. People aged 14 when the law comes into effect will never be able to legally buy tobacco”. Indeed, with this measure, in 2073 people aged 60 will not be able to buy tobacco, while those aged 61 can. Eventually, therefore, the sale of this substance will be totally prohibited to all New Zealanders. In addition, only products with a low nicotine level will be commercially available. The goal is to reduce the risk of addiction.
A blow for tobacco dealers
This measure is a good thing for public health but less so for tobacco dealers. They know that in the near future the market is going to shrink and eventually their business is doomed. But the government reassures: “the changes will not take effect immediately, giving retailers time to transition to a new business model”, assures Ayesha Verrall.
Helping smokers quit smoking
The measure of the New Zealand government is not only intended to be repressive. At the same time, support plans for smokers will be put in place to help them quit. “We know that breaking the habit is really hard and some people who smoke will naturally need a lot of support.”, assures Ayesha Verrall. For the moment, no details have been given on the content of this accompaniment.
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