CNN —New Zealand passed a historic anti-smoking bill in Parliament on Tuesday, banning the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009. The new law will also slash the number of retailers licensed to sell tobacco, from 6,000 to 600 by the end of 2023. Smoking rates in New Zealand – already among the world’s lowest – are falling, having decreased from 9.4% to 8% in the past 12 months, according to Verrall. The legislation – the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Bill – will also reduce the amount of nicotine allowed in tobacco products, aiming to make them less addictive. Official data shows 8.3% of adults are now vaping daily, up from 6.2% in the past year.

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