New Zealand is repealing the world’s first law banning tobacco sales for future generations, amid backlash from researchers and campaigners who warned that people could die as a result. The smoking ban was passed under former prime minister Jacinda Arden’s government. However, the new coalition government led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has now decided that the law will be repealed.
Touted as the toughest anti-tobacco rule around the world, the ban was set to come into effect from July. The ban restricted sales of tobacco to those born after January 1, 2009. Further, it cut nicotine content in smoked tobacco products and reduced the number of tobacco retailers in the country by over 90%, Reuters reported.
The new Luxon-led government, which was elected in October last year, confirmed the repeal as a matter of urgency, scrapping the law without taking public opinion on the matter.
The government is committed to reducing smoking, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said, adding that it was looking forward to a different regulatory approach to discourage the habit and reduce the harm it causes.
While New Zealand has decided to repeal its anti-tobacco rule, there are several countries, including Portugal, Canada, Australia, France, Mexico and the United Kingdom, that are also looking forward to raising a ‘smoke-free’ generation.
Here's a look at countries with anti-smoking rules and regulations:
Ireland
On March 29, 2004, Ireland became the first country in the world to put an end to all indoor smoking at workplaces. This also included restaurants and entertainment venues. The law, which was met with both praise and outrage, sparked a wave of similar policies around the world.
Portugal
Last year, the Portuguese government announced a draft legislation to restrict sales of tobacco and smoking in outdoor public spaces starting from the autumn season. According to the World Economic Forum, it further restricted sales of tobacco products to licensed tobacconists and airport shops starting in 2025. If implemented, this would mean that cafes, bars, restaurants and petrol stations across Portugal will be unable to sell tobacco products.
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Canada
According to reports, the Canadian government is aiming to reduce tobacco use to less than 5% of its total population by the year 2035. To achieve this target, the government is soon expected to raise the bar on the visibility of warning messages about the health risks related to smoking.
Printing of warning labels on cigarette packaging has been mandatory in the country since the late 1980s. However, the government is now planning to take a step further and print warning messages directly on the filter paper of cigarettes and other similar products available in the market.
Australia
Queensland, the largest state in Australia, is taking forward its campaign to create smoke-free public places, which includes school car parks and events for those under the age of 18.
France
France already has plans in place to ban e-cigarettes around the country. In September last year, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said in an interview that the French government would ban the “famous puffs” that give bad habits to young people.
Earlier, President Emmanuel Macron had announced his plan for all 20-year-olds to be non-smokers by 2030.
Mexico
In 2023, Mexico announced one of the strictest anti-tobacco laws. The country's government said it was extending the existing ban on smoking in hospitality and workplace settings to include all the major public spaces including parks and beaches. Moreover, the government stated that tobacco promotion is now entirely banned in the country.
