New Zealand’s new coalition government is planning to repeal the country’s generational smoking ban. The ban, which went into effect on January 1, 2023, would have prohibited tobacco products from being purchased for anyone born after 2009.
A coalition government was formed between New Zealand Prime Minster Elect Christopher Luxon’s National Party along with the ACT and New Zealand First parties. The coalition agreed to a list of policies, and repealing the generational smoking ban is one of them.
In addition to the generational smoking ban, a plan that would have reduced the number of retail outlets selling cigarettes will also be halted.
While the New Zealand plan appears to be on the road to being repealed, attention will turn to the United Kingdom. Earlier this year, Prime Minster Rishi Sunak announced plans to implement a similar smoking ban to the one in New Zealand. Following the news of New Zealand’s plan to repeal its generational smoking ban, Sunak doubled down and said he will continue to pursue the ban for the United Kingdom.
