A new legal strategy has emerged in the country of New Zealand. The proposal is aimed to protect future generations from the harmful effects of smoking tobacco products.
New Zealand is making a bold move to ban anyone born after 2008 from purchasing tobacco products. The hope is to eventually outlaw smoking completely in due time as existing smokers grow older and pass on leaving behind a population that was born after 2008.
There are also reports that in the US various state counties are mulling over this same idea.
Quit Smoking or Never Start
“We want to make sure young people never start smoking,” Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verall said.
The crackdown on big tobacco product sales will hopefully help existing youth quit or switch to less harmful alternatives. Restricting nicotine levels in cigarettes is also a strategy.
There are mixed reactions because black market products and illegal trafficking could step in to fill the gap.
In the meantime, New Zealand has introduced many new tobacco controls. The idea is to significantly restrict where cigarettes are sold by removing them from supermarkets and corner stores. Taking away convenience can be a deterrent for people who are just starting, and others who have less will to smoke.
Currently smoking statistics from New Zealand’s health ministry report that smoking causes one in four cancers. The harmful effects of tobacco products remain the leading cause of preventable death in their country.
To read current reporting on this topic, click > New Zealand Tobacco Crackdown
Leave a Reply