A 90% cut in the number of shops that can sell tobacco is also being brought in, but opponents say it's a 'nanny state' law that will lead to a large black market.
"There is no good reason to allow a product to be sold that kills half the people that use it," associate health minister Dr Ayesha Verrall told MPs on Tuesday.
She said money would also be saved by not having to treat as many people with illnesses such as heart attacks, cancer, strokes and amputations.Opponents of the law, such as the libertarian ACT party, said it was"nanny state prohibition" that would lead to a large black market.Vaping is not covered by the law and is already slightly more popular than smoking after rapid growth in recent years.
Around 8% of people in New Zealand smoke daily, according to statistics last month, compared with 8.3% who vape. That's a fall from 10 years ago, when 16% of people smoked tobacco, and is one of the lowest rates among OECD countries.Rates in New Zealand are higher among the indigenous Maori community, with 20% of people saying they smoke.
The only country that will now have stricter smoking laws than New Zealand is the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, which banned cigarette sales in 2010.
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