Outlawing the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 2008 and mandating low-nicotine cigarettes for others will help New Zealand reach its smoke-free vision, but vaping will still be an issue
Health
| Comment
10 December 2021
Cigarettes may soon be difficult for young people in New Zealand to access Roberto Sorin/Shutterstock
New Zealanders born after 2008 will never legally be allowed to buy cigarettes as part of proposed legislation to drive smoking rates towards zero. Experts believe it will effectively deter young people from taking up smoking, but are concerned they will adopt vaping instead.
The legislation, which is due to be introduced to the New Zealand parliament in mid-2022, also seeks to encourage existing smokers to quit by reducing the allowed nicotine content in cigarettes to make them …