New Zealand has passed its world-first legislation that bans young people from buying tobacco for life as it aims to make the country “smoke-free” by 2025.
The laws prohibit all young people born on or after Jan. 1, 2009, from buying tobacco for life, meaning the minimum age for buying a pack of smokes will perpetually increase.
Associate Health Minister Ayesha Verrall said the legislation accelerated the progress towards a smoke-free and healthier future for the next generation.
“Thousands of people will live longer, healthier lives, and the health system will be $5 billion (US$3.2 billion) better off from not needing to treat the illnesses caused by smoking, such as numerous types of cancer, heart attacks, strokes, amputations,” she said….