Today's Article

Nicola Willis, Finance Minister, New Zealand: Both New Zealand first and the ACT party were 5insistent that they wanted those 6regulations 7reversed. We've agreed to that. 

CNN Anchor: Smoking is the leading cause of 8preventable deaths in New Zealand. In 2022, the previous government passed legislation that would make the country first in the world to 9outlaw smoking for the next 10generation, barring sales to anyone born after 2008. The policy was 11praised by 12public health officials around the world. And months later the United Kingdom announced a similar plan. 

King Charles: My government will introduce 13legislation to create a smoke free generation. 

CNN Anchor: That same month, New Zealand held elections that led to a new, more 14conservative 15coalition government. So why does the new government say it's reversing course? Well, money. A leader in the ACT party, one of the coalition parties that make up the new government, said that New Zealand brings in about $1.8 billion in 16tax revenue from tobacco every year. 

David Seymo, ACT leader, New Zealand: The government can continue to tax it and I think that's a more realistic solution than what the previous government was headed towards. 

CNN Anchor: Others in the government, including the prime minister, Christopher Luxon, also suggest that reversing the ban 17prevents a black market for tobacco from forming. Health models suggest that the ban could have saved up to 5000 lives each year. Public health officials aren't happy with the change. 

Ben Youdan, Director, NZ Action for Smokefree 2025: That was a world leading 18policy that was going to save thousands and thousands of lives. So, it feels a 19tremendous cost to be in power to give up that 20bill because it's just going to 21prolong the death and the disease that's been caused by smoke tobacco. 

CNN Anchor: The ban was set to 22go into effect in July 2024.