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☆ New Zealand’s new government scraps world-leading smoking ban to fund tax cuts
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

A year after passing a world-leading smoking ban designed to save thousands of lives and prevent new generations of young adults from smoking, New Zealand has announced a u-turn to help pay for tax cuts, infuriating public health officials and anti-tobacco groups. Marty Melville/AFP/Getty ImagesNew Zealand’s initial smoking ban was hailed by public health officials around the world. Months after New Zealand’s announcement, Britain also unveiled plans to phase out smoking for new generations. A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that the British government remained committed to phasing out smoking, even after New Zealand’s reversal. The anti-smoking group Health Coalition Aotearoa (HCA) expressed disappointment at the new coalition’s plans to repeal the smoking ban.

Persons: Chris Luxon, Luxon, Christopher Luxon, Marty Melville, Rishi Sunak, ”, Nicola Willis, Saturday, Mario Tama, Ayeshea Verrall, “ What’s, ” Verrall Organizations: CNN, National Party, New Zealand First, ACT New, Radio New Zealand, Government House, Getty, British, World Health, Radio New, Health Coalition Aotearoa, New Zealanders Locations: New Zealand, ACT New Zealand, Wellington, AFP, Britain, Los Angeles , California, Radio New Zealand, New

☆ New Zealand scraps last of its Covid restrictions
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

“While our case numbers will continue to fluctuate, we have not seen the dramatic peaks that characterized COVID-19 rates last year,” the health minister added. Covid has put considerably less pressure on the health care system this winter, New Zealand’s current season, with cases accounting for just 2.2% of recent hospital admissions, according to the government. “If New Zealand had had a similar rate of Covid-19 mortality as the United States, we would be reporting around 15,000 deaths from Covid,” he argued. As health minister during much of the pandemic Hipkins was closely associated with the zero-Covid controls. New Zealand goes to the polls in October, and Labour are facing a stiff challenge from the center-right opposition National Party.

Persons: Ayesha Verrall, ” Verrall, Covid, we’re, Chris Hipkins, ”, Hipkins, Jacinda Ardern Organizations: CNN, Zealand, Health, Zealanders, Labour Party, Labour, National Party, Australia Locations: . New Zealand, Zealand, United States, Covid, Wellington

☆ New Zealand removes final COVID-19 restrictions
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A testing site for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is seen in Wellington, New Zealand, March 11, 2022. REUTERS/Lucy Craymer/File PhotoWELLINGTON, Aug 14 (Reuters) - New Zealand's government will lift all remaining COVID-19 requirements from midnight Tuesday, bringing an end to some of the toughest COVID-19 pandemic rules in the world more than three years after they were put in place. “While our case numbers will continue to fluctuate, we have not seen the dramatic peaks that characterised COVID-19 rates last year. This, paired with the population’s immunity levels, means Cabinet and I am advised we’re positioned to safely remove the remaining COVID-19 requirements,” Verrall said. Most of the restrictions were removed last year as vaccination rates reached high levels and the country’s hospitals successfully navigated a winter without being overwhelmed.

Persons: Lucy Craymer, Ayesha Verrall, we’re, ” Verrall, Chris Hipkins, ”, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Zealand, Health, Thomson Locations: Wellington , New Zealand

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