WELLINGTON – Doctors in New Zealand have strongly criticized the country’s conservative government for repealing world-leading anti-smoking laws, describing it as an act of “public health vandalism.”
The previous government, led by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, had implemented a series of measures to combat smoking, earning praise globally for its efforts against Big Tobacco.
However, the new prime minister, Christopher Luxon, on his first day in office, decided to discard these laws, leading to concerns among public health experts.
The University of Otago’s tobacco control expert, Richard Edwards, labeled the move a “tragedy” and expressed shock and dismay, considering New Zealand’s earlier commitment to becoming almost entirely smoke-free by 2025.
One of the major reforms being reversed is a “generational smoking ban,” which aimed to prohibit the sale of cigarettes to individuals born after 2008.
Additionally, other measures included the reduction of nicotine levels in cigarettes and a significant decrease in the number of authorized stores selling tobacco products from 6,000 to 600.
Dr Samantha Murton, President of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, echoed the sentiments, expressing astonishment at the repeal of widely supported measures that could prevent numerous deaths.
The move is seen as a setback for New Zealand, which had inspired other countries to consider similar innovative measures to tackle smoking.
The repeal has drawn criticism from various quarters, with concerns raised about the potential impact on public health in the country.
