by In a shocking move, New Zealand’s conservative government has revoked its world-leading anti-smoking laws, leading doctors to warn of a potential public health tragedy. The country had previously implemented a range of anti-smoking measures under former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, earning recognition as a global leader in the fight against Big Tobacco.
However, with the arrival of new Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, these laws have been discarded, causing concern among public health experts. Richard Edwards, a tobacco control expert at the University of Otago, described the situation as a tragedy, as New Zealand had set a goal to become nearly smoke-free by 2025.
“This is a highly unexpected turn of events. We never anticipated that a government could be so regressive,” Edwards stated, expressing his shock and disappointment. “It is a terrible day for public health and can only be described as an act of public health vandalism.”
Dr. Samantha Murton, President of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, also criticized the government’s decision. She expressed astonishment at the repeal of measures that had received widespread support and would have saved countless lives.
One of the key reforms that has been discarded is a generational smoking ban, which would have prohibited the sale of cigarettes to individuals born after 2008. Additionally, other measures aimed to lower nicotine levels in cigarettes and significantly reduce the number of tobacco retailers from 6,000 to 600.
These innovative measures, which had not yet been implemented on a national level in any country worldwide, were expected to have a profound impact on reducing smoking rates. The repeal of these laws signifies a missed opportunity for New Zealand and tarnishes its reputation as a global leader in public health.
The news of New Zealand’s backtrack has reverberated globally, with other countries considering similar pro-active measures against smoking. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unveiled a proposal for a smoking ban at the Conservative Party conference in October, taking inspiration from New Zealand’s efforts.
Experts are puzzled by the change of heart exhibited by the new government, particularly as smoking was not a prominent issue during the recent general election campaign. Some speculate that the government may have been influenced by the potential tax revenue generated from cigarette sales. However, Letitia Harding, CEO of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation, dismissed this reasoning, stating that it defies logic.
The repeal of the smoking ban has far-reaching effects, especially considering the high rates of tobacco-related diseases among New Zealand’s Indigenous Maori population. Maori women, in particular, have some of the highest lung cancer rates globally, according to advocacy group Smokefree Aotearoa.
Overall, the decision to rescind the anti-smoking laws has been unanimously criticized by doctors and public health experts alike. New Zealand is now at risk of derailing its progress in combating smoking and losing its reputation as a global leader in public health. The government’s argument that a cigarette ban would lead to a flourishing black market has been rebuffed, with experts stressing the unfounded nature of this claim.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
