Wellington: New Zealand is going to take the toughest action on the tobacco industry. The youth of the country will no longer be able to buy cigarettes for life. New Zealand argued in support of taking this drastic step that other measures being taken to stop smoking are taking too long. In this country with a population of about 50 lakh, any youth born after the year 2008 will not be able to buy cigarettes or tobacco products in their entire life.
Currently, 11.6 percent of young people under the age of 15 in New Zealand smoke cigarettes. In New Zealand’s native Maori, this figure is 29 percent. The government will hold discussions with the Maori Health Task Force in the coming months. After this, it will be introduced in Parliament in June next year. The New Zealand government plans to implement this very strict law by the end of 2022. After this, the restrictions will be implemented in a phased manner from the year 2024. Under this, the number of shops will be greatly reduced. In the year 2027, a target has been set for a generation that does not smoke cigarettes.
It is believed that this strict law will be implemented from next year. Health Minister Dr. Ayesha Veral said, ‘We want to ensure that the youth never start smoking.’ This proposal has been brought before everyone on Thursday. Under this, the number of shops selling tobacco products will also be reduced. Not only this but the level of nicotine in all products will also be reduced.
Year 2027 will come in the country, the generation that does not smoke cigarettes
Minister Veral said, “We will make it an offense to supply or sell tobacco products used for smoking to youth. If nothing changes, it will take decades for us to bring down the number of smokers below 5 percent and this government is not ready to leave people behind.
