Health Impact of Smoke Free Legislation Changes w/ ARFNZ CEO Letitia Harding: 29th November 2023

Earlier this week the new National ACT and NZ First government announced that in order to fund Nationals promised tax cuts they will be making changes to the Smoke free Legislation.

This includes revoking the ban on the sale of cigarettes to future generations, reducing nicotine levels and limiting the number of tobacco retailers.

Many organisations have come forward to express their concern about this change including the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation New Zealand. 

This morning Rawan spoke with the foundation’s CEO, Letitia Harding about the negative health impacts of this change, National’s claim that the legislation would lead to a growth in the black market and what we need to do to protect Aotearoa’s youth from lung and heart disease.