A novel proposal to phase out tobacco use in New Zealand was approved into law on Tuesday, prohibiting young people from ever purchasing smokes.

Tobacco must ever be sold to anyone who was born on or after January 1, 2009, according to the legislation.

 Theoretically, someone wanting to purchase a pack of smokes in 50 years would require identification proving they were at least 63 years old.

2019 data on deaths from smoking spread across countries

But health officials are hopeful that smoking will become less popular much sooner. 

By the year 2025, they intend to make New Zealand smoke-free.

lowers the quantity of nicotine permitted in tobacco

restricts the number of outlets allowed to sell tobacco from around 6,000 to 600.

Associate Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall told MPs in Parliament, 

"There is no good justification to allow the sale of a substance that kills half the individuals who use it. And when we pass this legislation, I can assure you that we will put an end to this in the future.

She said that by preventing ailments brought on by smoking, such as cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and amputations, the healthcare system would save billions of dollars. She asserted that the legislation would bring about generational change and leave a legacy of improved kid health.

The bill was approved 76 to 43 by lawmakers voting along partisan lines.

The libertarian ACT party opposed the measure, claiming that it would lead many 

tiny corner shops—known as dairies in New Zealand

—to go out of business since they would no longer be able to sell cigarettes.

The deputy leader of ACT, Brooke van Velden, declared, 

"We stand opposed to this bill because it's a terrible bill and its bad policy, it's that clear and direct." "New Zealanders won't experience better outcomes."

Opposition parties have stated that  corner shops in New Zealand called dairies might go out of business

 She contended that prohibition was usually unsuccessful and had unexpected results.

 which in New Zealand has already surpassed smoking in popularity.

8% of New Zealand people smoke every day, down from 16% ten years earlier

, according to Statistics New Zealand's data from last month. A rise from fewer than 1% of adults six years ago to 8.3%.

About 20% of Indigenous Maori people report smoking, which is still more than the general population.

In addition to limiting the sale of cigarettes to people over the age of 18, New Zealand also mandates that cigarettes be sold in uniform packaging and bear graphic health warnings.

Smoking statistics in New Zealand based on age, for 2021

Additionally, a number of significant tax increases on cigarettes were recently enacted in New Zealand.

Many health organisations applauded the legislative change. The new law, according to Health Coalition Aotearoa, is the result of years of tenacious advocacy on the part of health and community organisations.

Why is banning tobacco products problematic?

Well, on the face of it, the decision seems sincere. It is meant to curb health problems and drive out a 'social evil'. 

But is it the responsibility of the government to do so? 

For years, the notion has remained that the populace is rational and does not need a paternalistic government to take care of them. 

A paternalistic government or a nanny state in politics is a term used for governments that are over-extending their authority and trampling down on people's choices in the country.

New Zealand's ban on tobacco is no different from the alcohol ban in the above-mentioned countries

Banning tobacco products in this instance restricts people's right to a free choice. Some might argue that it is for the greater good. Smoking fewer cigarettes or quitting altogether is a practice everyone should adopt, no doubt about that. 

But is a blanket ban on tobacco the way forward?

vaping which is equally unhealthy does not have any consequences.

 If the government actually wants to phase out smoking, shouldn't vaping be included along with tobacco products?

Today is tobacco, tomorrow it might be junk food, alcohol, or any product that can be characterized as a sin product.

 Granted these products should be phased out, but I do not agree with a ban on these products. 

Otherwise, there is not much difference between New Zealand and Islamic countries that ban alcohol.

A higher tax rate on these products, a study on behavioural sciences to better understand how to change people's life choices, or a deeper dive into the nudge theory of economics can be answer. 

Unpopular opinion: New Zealand's ban on tobacco is problematic

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