New Zealand will repeal a law banning tobacco sales for future generations, set to take effect from July. The law, considered the toughest anti-tobacco rules globally, would have prohibited sales to those born after Jan. 1, 2009, reduced nicotine content, and cut tobacco retailers by over 90%.
The new government confirmed the repeal as a matter of urgency, allowing it to scrap the law without public comment. Associate Health Minister Casey Costello emphasized the commitment to reducing smoking but proposed a different regulatory approach.
Critics fear the decision may worsen health outcomes and impact Maori and Pasifika populations with higher smoking rates
