The first Nation to ban smoking would be New Zealand

The country’s world-renowned smoking ban is set to be repealed by the new government of New Zealand in order to pay for tax breaks.Under the previous government led by Jacinda Ardern, the legislation was introduced and if it had passed, it would have prohibited the sale of cigarettes to anybody born after 2008.Since smoking is the primary preventable cause of death in New Zealand, the policy’s goal was to discourage the habit from spreading to the next generation.The legislation were scheduled to go into effect in July 2024. However, National pledged to undo the changes as part of its coalition deal with the far-right New Zealand First, including “removing requirements for de-nicotization, removing the reduction in retail outlets and the generation ban.”

The tobacco business in New Zealand pays about NZ$2 billion in total taxes annually; excise taxes on tobacco products are the main source of funding for the country’s economy.

A 2022 study on public health modelling revealed that over the next 20 years, the Smokefree policy would have saved the New Zealand health system approximately NZ$1.3 billion (£630 million; $790 million).The UK government, led by Rishi Sunak, was influenced by the rules of New Zealand to declare a smoking ban for minors in September.