New Zealand becomes the world's first smoke-free country

Source: Money Review

As the first nation to adopt this policy and even pass a draft law, New Zealand has set the goal of getting the younger generation to stop smoking.

Ayesha Veral, New Zealand's deputy health minister, stated after the law was passed on Tuesday that "thousands of people will live longer and healthier lives, and the health system will not have to deal with smoking-related illnesses, which are estimated to cost $5 billion".

According to the Guardian, New Zealand is believed to be the first country in the world to raise the smoking age, effectively prohibiting those born on or after January 1, 2009, from smoking.

Cigarettes are only available in certain stores

The draft law also includes a number of other measures aimed at preventing young people from obtaining nicotine products.  Nicotine products, in particular, must now be sold in specialized tobacco shops rather than kiosks or supermarkets.

In addition, the country has increased funding for health services and smoking cessation campaigns.  The number of shops legally permitted to sell cigarettes will be drastically reduced, with only 600 remaining nationwide, down from 6,000.

The laws will go into effect in 2023, as New Zealand strives to achieve its goal of becoming "smoke-free" by 2025.

There has been a significant decrease in the number of smokers in the country

"We have allowed tobacco companies to maintain their market share for decades by making their deadly product more addictive. It's revolting and bizarre. In this country, we have more regulations for the safety of selling a sandwich than we do for cigarettes," the deputy health minister stated before the new bill was passed.

Her method, however, appears to be effective, as the reduction in smoking rates has broken world records.

It should be noted, however, that these laws do not apply to vaping products.

According to November data, the number of people who smoke daily has dropped to 8%, down from 9.4% the previous year. However, the number of adults who vape has increased, with 8.3% now vaping daily, up from 6.2% the previous year.