The smoking ban will increase by one year every year, so New Zealand wants to become the first cigarette-free state

Crackdown on cigarette smoking in New Zealand, seriously intending to become the first completely "smoke free" country in the world.

The Wellington government has indeed announced a plan to gradually increase the age at which tobacco can be purchased with the aim of achieving a gradual smoking ban for the next generations.

Under the plan, those who are 14 or younger in 2027 will never be able to buy cigarettes. Currently, the purchase of tobacco is forbidden for minors under the age of 18, but between 2025 and 2027 the age limit will increase by one year each year.

"In this way - underlines some Anglo-Saxon newspapers - after 65 years from the entry into force of the new rules, those who want to smoke and buy cigarettes must be at least 80 years old".

At the same time, the government will drastically decrease concessions to bars and shops for the sale of cigarettes.

"We want to make sure that people never start smoking", is the ambitious goal of Health Minister Ayesha Verrall. "These are measures - he added - that will allow New Zealand to maintain its role as a world leader in the control of tobacco.

The world of medicine has welcomed the news. Others pointed out that "prohibition" could strengthen the black market for tobacco, fueling crime.

(Unioneonline / lf)