New Zealand bans the sale of cigarettes to all children born from 2009 onwards

@JudyEv (342088)
Rockingham, Australia
December 14, 2022 7:19am CST
The photo doesn’t have anything to do with the post. It’s of a very bedraggled New Holland honey-eater. He’s fresh from his bath. A recent news report states that New Zealand (NZ) has passed a law placing a ban on selling cigarettes to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009. What this means is that the minimum age to buy cigarettes will keep going up and up. The authorities hope to have NZ smoke-free by 2025. The number of retailers permitted to sell tobacco will fall from around 6,000 to 600 and the amount of nicotine allowed in tobacco will be reduced. Billions of dollars are expected to be saved in medical interventions as the incidence of heart attacks, strokes, amputations and some cancers should drop dramatically. I wonder what you think of these changes? They seem very strict to me and I can’t help wondering what unexpected outcomes there might be. Banning something often only increases the urge to have access to it.
22 people like this
15 responses
Anna
@LadyDuck (472074)
• Switzerland
14 Dec 22
While I think that governments should find a way to restrict smoking (I would limit smoking ONLY inside your home and with the windows closed), I think that totally banning smoking can have side effects.
3 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (472074)
• Switzerland
15 Dec 22
@JudyEv This is a good thing, those who start very young cannot stop aging.
1 person likes this
Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (50525)
• United States
15 Dec 22
I like your way of thinking @LadyDuck
3 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342088)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Dec 22
You can still smoke but they're trying to stop kids from taking it up.
1 person likes this
rebelann1949
@rebelann (112966)
• El Paso, Texas
14 Dec 22
I like the idea especially the part where they want to reduce nicotine ..... I have to wonder why even have nicotine in them to begin with. I don't know any one who smokes anymore.
2 people like this
rebelann1949
@rebelann (112966)
• El Paso, Texas
19 Dec 22
Exactly. I think that too many people who used to smoke had issues like COPD or cancer later in life. I smoked for 20 years back when I was in my 20s and 30s and now I have recurring coughs that nag me during the colder seasons.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342088)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Dec 22
It's certainly become a much less fashionable vice than it used to be.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342088)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Dec 22
@rebelann It's strange now to watch old films and see everyone smoking. I'm sorry you now have a lingering cough.
1 person likes this
Juliaacv
@Juliaacv (51359)
• Canada
15 Dec 22
I think that it is admirable to want to ban on smoking but I have to wonder if preventing the sale of them won't lead to theft or trafficking of them. I am sure that they are aware of that possibility.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342088)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Dec 22
It could certainly lead to black market sales but perhaps over time less people would have taken up the habit.
1 person likes this
Eva James
@wolfgirl569 (108126)
• Marion, Ohio
14 Dec 22
That wont make them smoke free by 2025 as you are saying 14 year olds can buy them.
2 people like this
Eva James
@wolfgirl569 (108126)
• Marion, Ohio
19 Dec 22
@JudyEv Thats what I was hoping
1 person likes this
Fiacre Banks
@xFiacre (13152)
• Ireland
14 Dec 22
@JudyEv It can be a fine line between paternalism and good policy.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342088)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Dec 22
It seems a huge imposition really. But at least they're only stopping kids starting - or that's the intent.
1 person likes this
Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (317241)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
14 Dec 22
There are a lot of people who say they want to quit. Now, they won't have an excuse not to. I know people will rebel against the idea. In the end, I hope they see it as a good thing.
2 people like this
Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (317241)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
20 Dec 22
@JudyEv Yes, it would.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342088)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Dec 22
Over time, it would save a small fortune in medical fees.
1 person likes this
babytaffster
@babytaffster (2232)
• Chatsworth, California
15 Jan 23
2009? That’s 13 years ago. Do 13 year olds get to smoke there? That is really pretty young and stuff. Not a very good idea to me but I guess people think differently in other places. I mean, obviously they do, we don’t all think the same. But 13 is still a kid.
1 person likes this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (69008)
• United States
14 Dec 22
I think that’ll backfire much like Prohibition did here in the United States. You’ll have mobsters opening a black market to sell them, meaning the government doesn’t get the tax benefit.
1 person likes this
Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (50525)
• United States
15 Dec 22
I wish that we could live in a smoke free world. Unfortunately that will never happen.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342088)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Dec 22
It's a risky step for the government I think but hopefully they'll pull it off.
Jessica
@JESSY3236 (20041)
• United States
14 Dec 22
cute bird. I think it's good thing. But yeah banning anything makes it more popular.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342088)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Dec 22
Maybe over time, people will come to accept that it's not okay to smoke.
Ron Rybs
@Ronrybs (19584)
• London, England
14 Dec 22
Being a non-smoker I am not too worried. I seem to recall talk here of banning sales to anyone born in 2008. Not entirely sure I am remembering that right
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342088)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Dec 22
It doesn't worry us either but it would be a good thing if it works.
1 person likes this
Dr Souvik Chatterji
@sathviksouvik (19697)
•
19 Dec 22
I dont smoke. But for those who are regular smokers it is an addiction. It is very difficult to stop the habit
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342088)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Dec 22
It is indeed difficult to stop. I think the NZ government hope that this initiative will help stop young people from starting.
Dr Souvik Chatterji
@sathviksouvik (19697)
•
20 Dec 22
@JudyEv thanks Judy yes I agree with you. In India there are posters are stuck at the walls about it to prohibit smoking
1 person likes this
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (181721)
• United States
15 Dec 22
I'm on the fence about this. I can't stand to be around anyone that smokes; but it's like liquor. Those who want to partake will find a way to do it.
1 person likes this
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (181721)
• United States
20 Dec 22
@JudyEv I hope so too.
1 person likes this
Jim Bauer
@porwest (92588)
• United States
14 Dec 22
Freedom is freedom, and being an American I take that very seriously. People should be allowed to do what they want, even if it harms them. As for costs to society? There is no greater cost to society than poverty and so if there is a problem to solve that has the most impact on taxation and health costs—it's taking care of the poor. That being said, poverty is not a money issue. It's an education issue. But unfortunately it BECOMES a money issue when the backs of those who produce have to shell out for those who do not. It seems a silly idea to me and too nanny state oriented to me.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342088)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Dec 22
Fair enough. It's certainly a risky initiative but well and good if it works in my opinion.
1 person likes this
Jim Bauer
@porwest (92588)
• United States
22 Dec 22
@JudyEv Initiatives like this never work. It just creates a mob of illegal activity. Much like our prohibition which created guys like Al Capone.
1 person likes this
OceanTiara
@RebeccasFarm (90464)
• Arvada, Colorado
14 Dec 22
Lovely birdeen there Judy. Oh my..well that is appropriate, sorry I misread it..I think it is good a good thing..kids dont need to be smoking.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342088)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Dec 22
If they can stop the kids from starting, then that has to be a good thing.
1 person likes this