New Zealand declared on Thursday that it will ban cigarettes for those who will be aged 14 and under in 2027 in order to raise a ‘smoke-free’ generation.
According to a report in Deutsche Welle, New Zealand plans to ban cigarettes by repealing its existing law which prohibits tobacco for people under the age of 18; so that from 2027, the age-coverage of the prohibition would go up every year so an entire generation will be prevented from becoming smokers.
The country will also limit tobacco sale-points and only permit the sales of items which have a reduced concentration of nicotine, according to the country’s health minister.
The government is banking on halving the percentage of smoking in the country within a decade from when the law begins to become effectual.
As far as smoking rates within the country are concerned, 11.6 percent of all New Zealanders above 15 smoke. The rate is particularly sharp among the indigenous population, with the Maori adult smoking percentage being 29 percent.
The country banned tobacco companies sponsoring sports in 1990 and banned smoking in pubs in 2004.
