By George Howsen
As a part of the government’s plan to create a smoke free nation by the year 2025, the new proposal would ban the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 2004 by gradually increasing the legal smoking age. The usage of Tobacco goes back a lot further than some may realize, definitely further back than the large-scale commercial sale of cigarettes.
In America there is evidence that the plant has been present for at least the best part of 5000 years, and the practice of smoking it goes back to around 2000. However, it truly got its boom during the late 19th century with the invention of the cigarette rolling machine.
Now with technology capable of rolling hundreds of cigarettes in minutes, what was previously a privilege of the wealthy was now a cheap and widespread leisure activity, promoted as safe and even healthy by manufacturers and distributors.
However, in light of their harmful effects, many nations around the globe have taken efforts to cut down on the sale and distribution of cigarettes. New Zealand being one of these nations.
"It would cut down on younger people picking up smoking by targeting a generation where e-cigarettes/vaping is becoming more popular."
(Ethan Nguamo, 24, Auckland.)
Having already made several large changes including the designation of “smoke-free streets” upon which smoking is illegalized all together. It is to be noted that this bill is not without opposition.
And there is a worry that this bill could cause significant damage to small businesses as tobacco sales make up “a huge chunk of their turnover and income” according to David hooker, the director of the accusation of convenience stores.
On the whole though, it would appear that the population is broadly in favor of the change. 46-year-old Barbara Morgan, a café owner in Auckland said the new legislation would be a welcome change."
Most people have got used to not smoking in public places, and you hardly ever see young people smoking these days. The benefits will outweigh any negatives, such as the impact on small businesses, which I think will be minimal."
"I agree that it would cut down on younger people picking up smoking by targeting a generation where e-cigarettes/vaping is becoming more popular."
Ethan Nguamo, 24, Auckland.