The proposed new anti-smoking laws could se a strict limit put on the nicotine content of cigarettes — while perversely banning filter tips that reduce the amount of harmful substances inhaled by smokers.
Young New Zealanders could be banned from smoking even after they come of age — under plans to make the country “smoke-free” by 2025.
Those reaching the current legal smoking age of 18 from 2020 — meaning all those born after 2004 — would be forbidden from buying tobacco, sale of which also could be restricted to special ‘over-18s’ shops’ by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s Labour Party government.
Perversely, filter tips on cigarettes which reduce the amount of tar inhaled into the lungs could also be banned, while nicotine content would be restricted to a low level.
“Business as usual without a tobacco control program won’t get us there. We need a new approach,” Dr Verrall stressed.
The proposals were welcomed by some activists in the indigenous Maori community, where cancer is the leading cause of death in women and the second-most important among men.
But the socially-liberal opposition ACT party criticised the ideas, saying lower nicotine levels would only drive smokers to light up more often to get the same rush — and even increase the crime rate.
“New Zealand smokers who can least afford it will spend more on their habit and in turn do harm to those around them if the government mandates lower nicotine,” ACT social development and children spokesperson Karen Chhour, also a Maori, said.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
0.00 (0%) 0 votes
