WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand’s government believes it has come up with a unique plan to end tobacco smoking — a lifetime ban for those aged 14 or younger.
Under a new law the government announced Thursday and plans to pass next year, the minimum age to buy cigarettes would keep rising year after year.
That means, in theory at least, 65 years after the law takes effect, shoppers could still buy cigarettes — but only if they could prove they were at least 80 years old.
In practice, officials hope smoking will fade away decades before then. Indeed, the plan sets a goal of having fewer than 5% of New Zealanders smoking by 2025.
Other parts of the plan include allowing only the sale of tobacco products with very low nicotine levels and slashing the number of stores that can sell them. The changes would be brought in over time to help retailers adjust.
David Rowland
A man sits while smoking in Auckland, New Zealand, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. New Zealand's government believes it has come up with a unique plan to end tobacco smoking, a lifetime ban for those aged 14 and under. (AP Photo/David Rowland)
Because the current minimum age to buy cigarettes in New Zealand is 18, the lifetime smoking ban for youth wouldn’t have an impact for a few years.
In an interview with The Associated Press, New Zealand’s Associate Health Minister Dr. Ayesha Verrall, who is spearheading the plan, said her work at a public hospital in Wellington involved telling several smokers they had developed cancer.
“You meet, every day, someone facing the misery caused by tobacco,” Verrall said. “The most horrible ways people die. Being short of breath, caused by tobacco.”
Smoking rates have steadily fallen in New Zealand for years, with only about 11% of adults now smoking and 9% smoking every day. The daily rate among Indigenous Maori remains much higher at 22%. Under the government’s plan, a taskforce would be created to help reduce smoking among Maori.
Big tax increases have already been imposed on cigarettes in recent years and some question why they aren’t hiked even higher.
“We don’t think tax increases will have any further impact,” Verrall said. “It’s really hard to quit and we feel if we did that, we’d be punishing those people who are addicted to cigarettes even more.”
And she said the tax measures tend to place a higher burden on lower-income people, who are more likely to smoke.
The new law wouldn’t impact vaping. Verrall said that tobacco smoking is far more harmful and remains a leading cause of preventable deaths in New Zealand, killing up to 5,000 people each year.
“We think vaping’s a really appropriate quit tool,” she said.
The sale of vaping products is already restricted to those aged 18 and over in New Zealand and vaping is banned in schools. Verrall said there was some evidence of a rise in youth vaping, a trend she is following “really closely.”
New Zealand’s approach to ban the next generation from tobacco smoking hasn’t been tried elsewhere, she said.
But she said studies have shown youth sales decrease when minimum ages are raised. In the U.S., the federal minimum age to buy tobacco products was raised from 18 to 21 two years ago.
While public health experts have generally welcomed the New Zealand plan, not everybody is happy.
Sunny Kaushal said some stores could be put out of business. Kaushal chairs the Dairy and Business Owners Group, which represents nearly 5,000 corner stores — often called dairies in New Zealand — and gas stations.
“We all want a smoke-free New Zealand,” he said. “But this is going to hugely impact small businesses. It should not be done so it is destroying dairies, lives and families in the process. It’s not the way.”
Kaushal said the tax increases on tobacco had already created a black market that was being exploited by gangs, and the problem would only get worse. He said smoking was already in its twilight in New Zealand and would die away of its own accord.
“This is being driven by academics,” he said, adding that stakeholders hadn’t been consulted.
But Verrall said she didn’t believe the government was overreaching because statistics showed the vast majority of smokers wanted to quit anyway, and the new policies would only help them achieve their goal.
She said the pandemic had helped people gain a new appreciation for the benefits of public health measures and rallying communities, and that perhaps that energy could be harnessed not only to tackle smoking but also diseases like diabetes.
Verrall said she had never smoked herself but her late grandmother did, and it likely compromised her health.
“It’s a really cruel product,” Verrall said.
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New Zealand plans to end smoking by banning it for future generations
Exercise releases endorphins, and it doesn’t take much to reap the benefits — a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry linked just an hour of exercise weekly with less depression. Do it any way you enjoy — we recommend dancing around the house.
Exercise releases endorphins, and it doesn’t take much to reap the benefits — a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry linked just an hour of exercise weekly with less depression. Do it any way you enjoy — we recommend dancing around the house.
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New Zealand plans to end smoking by banning it for future generations
If you’re in a slump, reach for a glass of orange juice. A study found that more vitamin C can elevate mood — and bolster your immune system. Decent sources include citrus, peppers, strawberries, broccoli, or a daily vitamin C supplement.
If you’re in a slump, reach for a glass of orange juice. A study found that more vitamin C can elevate mood — and bolster your immune system. Decent sources include citrus, peppers, strawberries, broccoli, or a daily vitamin C supplement.
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New Zealand plans to end smoking by banning it for future generations
The outdoors may be especially beneficial to your mood if you sit at a computer. Try the Japanese tradition of forest-bathing — simply spending time in the woods is thought to alleviate boredom and hostility.
If you can go out barefoot, practice “grounding.” Health gurus like Deepak Chopra say that connecting to the subtle electrical charge of the Earth can help with stress, mood and pain.
The outdoors may be especially beneficial to your mood if you sit at a computer. Try the Japanese tradition of forest-bathing — simply spending time in the woods is thought to alleviate boredom and hostility.
If you can go out barefoot, practice “grounding.” Health gurus like Deepak Chopra say that connecting to the subtle electrical charge of the Earth can help with stress, mood and pain.
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New Zealand plans to end smoking by banning it for future generations
Just 10 minutes spent petting a dog or a cat has been shown to reduce levels of a major stress hormone, according to a study conducted at Washington State University. Even watching animal videos can help, too — see it as self-care rather than procrastination.
Just 10 minutes spent petting a dog or a cat has been shown to reduce levels of a major stress hormone, according to a study conducted at Washington State University. Even watching animal videos can help, too — see it as self-care rather than procrastination.
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New Zealand plans to end smoking by banning it for future generations
Putting on your favorite playlist can quickly boost your mood, and singing along is even better. Both upbeat and slower songs can help you release negative emotions.
Putting on your favorite playlist can quickly boost your mood, and singing along is even better. Both upbeat and slower songs can help you release negative emotions.
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New Zealand plans to end smoking by banning it for future generations
Reflecting on things you enjoyed about your day or what you’re thankful for can help boost your mood over time, as it produces a positive mindset.
Sarah Moe, CEO of Sleep Health Specialists in Minneapolis, suggests clients who have trouble sleeping to say aloud three things they are grateful for before closing their eyes.
Hearing your own voice remind you what you have to be grateful for seems to improve relaxation and reduce stress, Moe says.
Reflecting on things you enjoyed about your day or what you’re thankful for can help boost your mood over time, as it produces a positive mindset.
Sarah Moe, CEO of Sleep Health Specialists in Minneapolis, suggests clients who have trouble sleeping to say aloud three things they are grateful for before closing their eyes.
Hearing your own voice remind you what you have to be grateful for seems to improve relaxation and reduce stress, Moe says.
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New Zealand plans to end smoking by banning it for future generations
Being thankful or expressing gratitude can help with relationships, stress and depression. Work that into your daily routine with a gratitude journal.
Try writing down three good things about your day every day. A notebook or notes app will do, but there are also dedicated gratitude journals you can buy.
Being thankful or expressing gratitude can help with relationships, stress and depression. Work that into your daily routine with a gratitude journal.
Try writing down three good things about your day every day. A notebook or notes app will do, but there are also dedicated gratitude journals you can buy.
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New Zealand plans to end smoking by banning it for future generations
Many more people are working at home these days, which can foster more stress. Taking short breaks for yourself throughout the day can do wonders for your mood. Try to give your brain a rest; sit outside for a bit with a mug of your favorite hot drink and watch the world go by, rather than scroll through news websites or social media.
Many more people are working at home these days, which can foster more stress. Taking short breaks for yourself throughout the day can do wonders for your mood. Try to give your brain a rest; sit outside for a bit with a mug of your favorite hot drink and watch the world go by, rather than scroll through news websites or social media.
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New Zealand plans to end smoking by banning it for future generations
Meditation can help quell anxiety and depression. It isn’t an instant fix but some people find it as effective as medication or therapy over time.
For a simpler approach, take 10 to 20 breaths, and focus on nothing but your breath entering and leaving your body.
Meditation can help quell anxiety and depression. It isn’t an instant fix but some people find it as effective as medication or therapy over time.
For a simpler approach, take 10 to 20 breaths, and focus on nothing but your breath entering and leaving your body.
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New Zealand plans to end smoking by banning it for future generations
It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. Just showing kindness to a stranger, giving someone a compliment or letting a loved one know you appreciate them can instantly boost your mood.
It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. Just showing kindness to a stranger, giving someone a compliment or letting a loved one know you appreciate them can instantly boost your mood.
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New Zealand plans to end smoking by banning it for future generations
Talking to a friend can help lift your mood, whatever the medium of communication. Whether you need to vent about your day or just want to catch up or joke around, you’ll likely feel better after reaching out.
Talking to a friend can help lift your mood, whatever the medium of communication. Whether you need to vent about your day or just want to catch up or joke around, you’ll likely feel better after reaching out.
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New Zealand plans to end smoking by banning it for future generations
Multiple studies have shown that chewing gum reduces anxiety. For example, researchers in Japan found that test subjects who chewed mint gum twice a day for two weeks reported lower levels of anxiety and mental fatigue compared with a control group that got just a mint.
In the words of the American Institute of Stress: “One has only to look at a tightly contested baseball game on TV to see how many players, coaches and managers are vigorously chewing bubble gum or something else to relieve their pent-up tension.”
Multiple studies have shown that chewing gum reduces anxiety. For example, researchers in Japan found that test subjects who chewed mint gum twice a day for two weeks reported lower levels of anxiety and mental fatigue compared with a control group that got just a mint.
In the words of the American Institute of Stress: “One has only to look at a tightly contested baseball game on TV to see how many players, coaches and managers are vigorously chewing bubble gum or something else to relieve their pent-up tension.”
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New Zealand plans to end smoking by banning it for future generations
Shane Sharp, a Northern Illinois University sociologist, says many people are able to manage negative emotions through prayer, that it’s basically communicating with an “other” who can make the situation less threatening. And you won’t be alone; Sharp says about 70% of Americans pray at least once a week.
Shane Sharp, a Northern Illinois University sociologist, says many people are able to manage negative emotions through prayer, that it’s basically communicating with an “other” who can make the situation less threatening. And you won’t be alone; Sharp says about 70% of Americans pray at least once a week.
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New Zealand plans to end smoking by banning it for future generations
According to the Mayo Clinic, laughter can stimulate circulation, relax muscles, enhance oxygen intake, increase endorphins and even boost your immune system.
Try to find the humor in the situation. “Even if it feels forced at first, practice laughing. It does your body good,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
According to the Mayo Clinic, laughter can stimulate circulation, relax muscles, enhance oxygen intake, increase endorphins and even boost your immune system.
Try to find the humor in the situation. “Even if it feels forced at first, practice laughing. It does your body good,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
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New Zealand plans to end smoking by banning it for future generations
The meditative, repetitive rhythms of some handicrafts, like knitting, have been shown to reduce blood pressure, lower depression and anxiety and increase a sense of well-being. Manipulating soft yarn has been compared to yoga in its ability to create a relaxed state.
The meditative, repetitive rhythms of some handicrafts, like knitting, have been shown to reduce blood pressure, lower depression and anxiety and increase a sense of well-being. Manipulating soft yarn has been compared to yoga in its ability to create a relaxed state.
