On Tuesday, the government introduced its new laws to try to create a smoke-free generation by setting a steadily rising purchase age so teenagers can never legally buy cigarettes. The new measures, which have been debated in parliament, are seen as a world first – and have attracted a mix of praise for their innovation and concerns about their untested nature. As well as shifting the smoking age, they would dramatically reduce the nicotine in cigarettes and force them to be sold only through specialist tobacco shops rather than corner shops and supermarkets. “For decades we have allowed tobacco companies to maintain their market share by making their deadly product more and more addictive. It’s disgusting and it’s weird. We have more regulations in this country about the safety of selling a sandwich than we do about a cigarette,” said Deputy Health Secretary Ayesha Verrall as she introduced the law for its first reading. “Our priority in bringing this bill forward is to protect what is most valuable: our people, our whānau [families]our communities.” The bill is in first reading and had near-universal cross-party support to move to a select committee – the next stage of the legislative process, where MPs hear suggestions from experts and the public. The law is expected to take effect in 2023. The rules only target tobacco products and vaping will remain legal. Opposition MP Matt Doocey said that while the party would support the bill at this stage, they had concerns about its experimental nature. “Most of the measures being considered have not yet been widely implemented internationally and in some cases, New Zealand would be the first in the world to implement them,” Doocey said. “I have no problem with New Zealand going first in the world,” he said, but the untested nature of the policy meant there was “significant uncertainty about the results”. The Green party also supported the passage of the select committee bill, but raised concerns about the criminal ban driving the industry underground. “The Greens have some serious concerns about the prospect of a new kind of criminal ban,” said MP Chlöe Swarbrick. He also raised concerns about aponicotine: “It’s untested, to my understanding, anywhere, and so it’s going to need some serious, vigorous kicking.” The Libertarian Law Party was the only party that opposed the bill at first reading.
