New Zealand passes world-first tobacco law to ban smoking for next generation
by Tess McClure in Auckland from on (#66S5T)
The country is believed to be the first to implement an annually rising legal smoking age
New Zealand has introduced a steadily rising smoking age to stop those aged 14 and under from ever being able to legally buy cigarettes in world-first legislation to outlaw smoking for the next generation.
Associate health minister Ayesha Verrall said at the law's passing on Tuesday: Thousands of people will live longer, healthier lives and the health system will be $5bn better off from not needing to treat the illnesses caused by smoking, such as numerous types of cancer, heart attacks, strokes, amputations."
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