New Zealand: New government wants to overturn smoking ban
New Zealand's new government has only just taken office and has already caused an outcry among health experts. The reason: shortly after being sworn in on Monday, conservative Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced his intention to overturn some of the drastic anti-tobacco laws introduced by the previous left-wing government.
The coalition, which also includes the populist NZ First party, wants to use the move to finance tax cuts. Advocates of a smoke-free society are horrified.
Under the leadership of Labor leader Jacinda Ardern, the Pacific state passed a groundbreaking law at the end of last year banning smoking for people born from 2009 onwards. Tobacco may no longer be sold to them for the rest of their lives. This should prevent young people from being tempted to start smoking in the first place. The law also includes a reduction in the nicotine content of cigarettes and a reduction in the number of tobacco sales outlets. The country should be largely smoke-free by 2025. Smoking is the most common cause of preventable death in New Zealand.
The UK recently announced its intention to follow New Zealand's example and make future generations "smoke-free" too. The British BBC spoke of a "shocking U-turn" in the Commonwealth country.
Maori particularly affected
The national Maori health organization Hāpai Te Hauora called on the new government to reconsider the repeal of the laws. New Zealand is regarded internationally as a role model for its pioneering efforts in tobacco control, said interim executive director Jason Alexander.
"We cannot allow our most vulnerable people to pay the price of tax cuts to satisfy our country's richest and line their pockets." Indigenous New Zealanders have a higher smoking rate than the rest of the population and are particularly likely to suffer from tobacco-related diseases.
The New Zealand Asthma and Respiratory Foundation also condemned the announcement. "This move not only undermines the progress we have made as a country in protecting respiratory health, but also places a greater burden on our health system," the foundation said. Luxon's National Party said it would continue to work to reduce smoking quotas and keep all other rules in place.
The government's plan to overturn anti-tobacco laws has sparked concern among health organizations, such as Hāpai Te Hauora, who argue that repealing these regulations could disproportionately affect the health of the Maori community, who have a higher smoking rate than the general population. The financial motivation behind this decision, to fund tax cuts, has led advocates for a smoke-free society to voice their disapproval.
Source: www.dpa.com
