In an unexpected move, New Zealand’s recently elected government has announced its decision to discard a groundbreaking law aimed at prohibiting smoking for future generations. Initially introduced under the Jacinda Ardern-led administration, the legislation was set to prohibit cigarette sales to individuals born after 2008. This bold initiative celebrated globally, aimed to combat the leading cause of preventable deaths in New Zealand – smoking. However, the new government, led by Prime Minister Chris Luxon, has opted to scrap the smoking ban in favour of funding tax cuts, a decision that has ignited strong reactions from health experts and the public alike.
Health Experts Express Concern
The sudden reversal of the smoking ban has been met with widespread criticism from health experts, with Prof Richard Edwards from the University of Otago describing it as a “catastrophic” step backward. The legislation, known as the Smokefree laws, included measures such as restricting tobacco retailers and reducing nicotine levels in cigarettes. Experts had projected that these reforms could save up to 5,000 lives annually, making New Zealand a global leader in tobacco control.
Public Health Impact
Public health officials argue that the decision to abandon the Smokefree laws will have severe consequences, particularly for Māori communities, where smoking rates and associated health issues are disproportionately high. The policy was seen as a crucial step in addressing these health disparities and improving the well-being of New Zealand’s indigenous population. Additionally, there are is already a link between heart health, and dementia that is in the public consciousness. The smoking issue is also front of mind for many across the ditch in Australia.TAKE OUR POLL: Should New Zealand be scrapping world-first smoking ‘generation ban’ to fund tax cuts?
Political Motivations
The unexpected decision to reverse the smoking ban comes amid political negotiations and coalition-building, with the National party, which secured 38% of the vote in the recent election, forming a government with minor parties, New Zealand First and Act. Finance Minister Nicola Willis cited pressure from these coalition partners as a key factor in the decision to repeal the Smokefree laws. Despite its election victory, the National party faced challenges in policy negotiations, leading to compromises that ultimately influenced the abandonment of the smoking ban. If this issue isn’t a priority, many are questioning what is a priority for the New Zealand government.Impact on Tax Cuts
The government’s justification for scrapping the smoking ban is rooted in its desire to fund tax cuts. The Smokefree legislation was estimated to significantly impact the government’s budget, with approximately one billion pounds affected. Critics argue that linking tax cuts to smoking is not only misguided but also raises ethical concerns, as it implies that the financial burden of tax cuts would be shouldered by those who continue to smoke.