ltbewr wrote:I am not sure if the new law in NZ will really work but it is worth a try. I think eventually it will be reversed due to it lack of working or creating black markets and other issues.
There has been several major ways taken to reduce tobacco consumption I have seen develop in the USA over the last almost 60 years. Raising age to purchase to 21 (as in many USA states, some other countries). Severely limit marketing and advertising including at the stores themselves. Don't show smoking in movies or TV programs (even if historically incorrect). Keep raising taxes. Ban smoking starting with workplaces and eventually except in private residences. Higher rates for life and health insurance. Pressure from doctors and health officials. All tobacco products are sold 'from behind the counter'. Ban flavored tobacco products (including menthol). Plain packaging so no open brand showing, much of the packaging with graphic pictures of body disease from smoking and blunt warnings. The best thing is to not start. For me, my father (who lived to 80, quit smoking unfiltered cigarette in his 50's) hacking his brains out every morning when a child and teen discouraged me.
Social, economic and other pressures can also be put into play. In the USA, the discount store chain Target stopped selling tobacco products in 1996 due to the hassles of enforcement of age of purchase laws and major drugstore chain CVS stopped doing so in 2014 as in conflict with their connection to health. Other US retailers have raised prices above state mandated minimum prices, don't want the risks of losing their business if sell to underage persons, remove a product that is frequently stolen by employees, or due to ID checking, made it not worth the hassle to sell tobacco products. Social and peer pressure against tobacco as a filthy habit should be encouraged.
I think one area of law to consider is to substantially reduce the number of retail sales points of purchase as done in some USA states with alcoholic beverages. Perhaps limiting the number of outlets and requiring an expensive license may reduce access so can be more tightly controlled with fewer outlets.Make it so not every convenience store sells them. Ban all advertising of tobacco products at point of sale. Ban sales within 500 feet of a school. As in the UK, all tobacco products have to kept behind a closed cabinet, marked with prices of brands at the most like other products in the store, make it more inconvenient to sell.
I think it will work, I’m 49, I only know one person in NZ who smokes, I don’t know anyone in Norway who smokes, smoking is both countries is dying off, this is just going to make it end quicker.
As I said in a previous post, NZ is an island far from anywhere, we have really strong border control, mostly put in place to protect our agricultural industries. I doubt anyone is going to be able to smuggle in large enough quantities to make it worth the effort.
