New Zealand Repeals World's First Generational Smoking Ban

Decision Aimed at Funding Tax Cuts Sparks Backlash from Health Advocates

New Zealand's new government, led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, has decided to repeal the world's first generational smoking ban, which was set to prevent anyone born after 2008 from legally purchasing cigarettes.
The decision was made as part of a coalition agreement to fund tax cuts, with the government arguing that the ban would have created a black market for tobacco and significantly reduced tax revenues.
The move has been met with significant backlash from health and anti-smoking campaigners, who argue that the decision will boost the profits of the tobacco industry at the expense of public health.
The repealed legislation also included measures to reduce the amount of nicotine in tobacco products and cut the number of retailers able to sell tobacco by over 90%.
New Zealand's decision could potentially influence other countries considering similar measures, including the UK, which announced a similar generational ban in September.