WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s recent decision to overturn its groundbreaking anti-smoking legislation has sparked controversy.
The legislation, which initially set the stage to phase out smoking for future generations by introducing measures like a rising smoking age, reducing nicotine levels in tobacco, and limiting sales outlets, has now been repealed.
This move, driven by a desire to redirect revenue from cigarette sales toward tax cuts, has drawn criticism from public health officials who fear its potential toll: an estimated loss of thousands of lives, especially impacting Māori communities.
The decision to scrap these measures, a result of coalition agreements, has raised concerns about its repercussions. While government officials argue it prevents illicit markets and crimes associated with concentrated tobacco sales, health experts lament the loss of potential health system savings and a decline in mortality rates that could have been achieved through the legislation.
Critics fear this shift in policy, prioritizing economic interests over public health gains, might have severe consequences, potentially costing up to 5,000 lives annually and disproportionately affecting Māori, who already face higher smoking rates.
Public health advocates emphasize the significance of robust, population-level policies in curbing the grip of harmful substances on society and express disappointment at the disregard for the communities most impacted by tobacco-related harm.
