New Zealand Govt to lift the ban on tobacco and cigarettes
(Credits:Rozana Spokesman)
Auckland (New Zealand) – In December last year, the then Government in New Zealand passed a historic law banning tobacco and cigarettes. However, the new Government has decided to lift the ban. The Government claims that this move will provide tax relief to the people. Therefore, the environmental law called ‘Smoke-Free’ will be repealed. Under this law, people born after 2008 cannot buy any kind of tobacco products.
(Credits:Channel 4 News)
However, doctors in the country have opposed this decision. Professor Richard Edwards from the University of Otago said, “We are very shocked and disappointed”. This step is taking the country backwards.
The original bill was introduced in Parliament by Aisha Verrall, the then Health Minister of New Zealand. She had said, “Millennials will now live longer and better lives. People will not get diseases and problems associated with smoking. The New Zealand health system will save Rs 26,400 crore through this”.
New Zealand is one of the countries where the least amount of people smoke. According to Government statistics, only 8% of the population smoke daily.