Labour Party Pledges to Restore Smokefree Generation Policy

The New Zealand Labour Party pledged to reinstate its smokefree generation policy if it returns to power, proposing a ban on tobacco sales to individuals born after 2008. During a political panel hosted by Health Coalition Aotearoa at the Beehive in Wellington, health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall detailed plans to introduce a common licensing regime for tobacco and vape products to combat illicit sales.

Labour intends to reverse the current government's 50 percent excise duty reduction for heated tobacco products and eliminate tax breaks for tobacco companies. Verrall noted that the party will no longer seek to reduce nicotine levels to very low levels, citing concerns that such stringent controls in Australia coincided with the growth of a black market.

The Green Party and Te Pāti Māori expressed support for the proposal, with the Greens specifically backing the more stringent licensing approach. Representative Todd Stephenson of ACT New Zealand stated he would be open to considering the licensing policy, though he noted it is not official ACT policy.

Associate Health Minister Casey Costello and Finance Minister Nicola Willis defended the current government's record, arguing that reduced-harm pathways are the most effective way to encourage people to stop smoking and that overly strict controls fuel illicit markets.