Associate Health Minister Casey Costello affirmed the coalition government’s dedication to reducing smoking while adopting a different regulatory approach to discourage the habit and mitigate its harm. Costello indicated forthcoming measures to increase available tools for smoking cessation, along with plans to tighten regulations on vaping to discourage youth consumption.
Despite criticisms levied against the decision for its potential adverse health effects in New Zealand, concerns have also been raised regarding its disproportionate impact on Maori and Pasifika communities, which have higher smoking rates. Otago University researcher Janet Hoek criticized the repeal, stating that it contradicts robust research evidence and disregards measures strongly endorsed by Maori leaders, ultimately perpetuating health disparities.
According to Hoek, the legislation’s repeal overlooks findings from large-scale clinical trials and modeling studies, which indicate that it would have significantly boosted smoking cessation rates and deterred youth uptake of smoking. As co-director of a research group focusing on smoking reduction strategies, Hoek emphasizes the potential benefits lost with the repeal.
