New Zealand government agrees country should become smokefree by 2025..

March 15, 2011 - The Government has decided New Zealand should become smokefree by 2025. (An anti-smoking group doubts New Zealand will be entirely smokefree by 2025, but sees the Government's goal as a step in the right direction.)

Background:
November 4, 2010 - The Maori Affairs Select Committee's final report on tobacco is a landmark in smokefree initiatives, according to the Public Health Association (PHA).

The Select Committee's report on its inquiry into the tobacco industry and the consequences of tobacco use for Maori was released today, November 3rd. Its recommendations underscore a strategy to halve smoking rates by 2015, as the first step towards a smokefree New Zealand by 2025. New Zealand - Māori Affairs Committee Report released - November 2010..

It's agreed to set 2025 as a smokefree goal and is also promising to develop targets to help the goal be met.

The Government says it'll also look at measures around tobacco packaging and advertising as well as raising the fine for retailers who sell tobacco to children.

However it hasn't agreed to make the tobacco industry pay for smoking cessation programs, nor require those selling tobacco to be 18 years or older.

Reference: NZ to be smokefree by 2025, Newstalk ZB, 3/14/2011.

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