New Zealand Officially Bans Cigarettes for Anybody Born After 2008

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New Zealand's parliament has banned the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products to people who were born after 2008.

The first country to have passed a law banning cigarettes for future generations is the island nation.

The ban will come into effect next year and is a key part of New Zealand's efforts to make the country smoke-free as soon as possible.

According to the health minister, thousands of people will live longer, healthier lives and the health system will be better off because of it.

In New Zealand, cigarettes are starting to fade. The number of people who smoke daily is down from last year.

The government wants to reduce the number of tobacco product retailers from 6000 to 600.

Nicotine will be reduced to non-addictive levels and communities will be free from the clustering of retailers who target and sell tobacco products in certain areas.

Critics of the plan say it will cause a surge in black markets.

Brooke van Velden wrote that the gangs would be rubbing their hands with glee.

Supporters of the legislation are celebrating the victory.

"New Zealand once again leads the world," Natalie Walker, director of the Centre for Addiction Research at University of Auckland, told The Guardian, "this time with a cutting-edge smoke-free 2025."

New Zealand became the first country in the world to ban smoking for children.

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