New Zealand cancels the world's first smoking ban for next generation in efforts to reduce taxes. In 2022, the country adopted a revolutionary law that prohibited the sale of tobacco products for persons born after January 1, 2009, in order to avoid deaths from smoking and savings billions of dollars for the health care system. The law had to enter into force in July 2024.
However, as a result of the Coalition Agreement with the New Zealand First National Party, the New Zealand National Party agreed to cancel this law, including amendments concerning a sharp decrease in the number of nicotine in tobacco products and selling them only through specialized tobacco stores, as well as the establishment of age restrictions. These steps are designed to raise additional funds in the country's budget.
Finance Minister Nicholas Willis has announced that the ban would be canceled by March 2024. Representatives of the healthcare sector believe that this step can lead to the death of "thousands of people".
