New Zealand smoking ban scrapped by government in shock reversal - BBC News

New Zealand smoking ban scrapped by government in shock reversal - BBC News #NewZealand #BBCNews

New Zealand's new government says it plans to scrap the nation's world-leading smoking ban to fund tax cuts, a reversal strongly criticised by health experts.

The legislation, introduced under the previous Jacinda Ardern-led government, would have banned cigarette sales next year to anyone born after 2008.

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths in New Zealand, and the policy had aimed to stop young generations from picking up the habit.