New Zealand’s New Government to Repeal Generational Tobacco Ban

New Zealand’s newly elected government, led by the National Party in coalition with New Zealand First, has announced its intention to repeal the country’s groundbreaking generational tobacco ban. The ban, which was passed in December 2022, made it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009.

In addition to the generational ban, the revised Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Bill also restricted the number of retailers allowed to sell tobacco and vaping products and introduced nicotine limits for cigarettes. The new government plans to overturn these provisions by March 2024.

The repeal is not expected to actively increase the number of people who can legally purchase tobacco in the short term, as the generational ban would not have affected any potential new customers until 2027, when those born in 2009 would have turned 18.

Despite the announced repeal, the tobacco retailer licensing program is still moving forward as planned, according to Grant Ovenden of Canteros, a retailer based in Christchurch. As of November 28, 2023, the Ministry of Health has confirmed that retailers must complete their Approved Smoked Tobacco Retailer (ASTR) licensing applications before December 2, 2023.

Ovenden noted that the 2022 Amendment Act will not be revoked until March 2024, around the same time the Ministry of Health is due to announce which 500 out of 6,000 outlets will receive licenses. He also expressed concern about the impact of the “one law for all” approach on cigar and pipe smokers, who are not considered “smokers” by the New Zealand Government but are still subject to the Smokefree 2025 Act.

While the government plans to roll back various tobacco and vaping laws, it also intends to introduce new regulations banning disposable vaping products and increasing fines for those caught selling to anyone under the age of 18.

As New Zealand’s generational tobacco ban faces repeal, other countries, such as Russia and the United Kingdom, are currently planning similar measures to combat smoking rates and protect public health.

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Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.

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