New Zealand (Commonwealth Union) – Many nations across the world have taken a tough stance against smoking, such as banning depictions of persons smoking in the media and raising the legal age for smoking from 18 to 21.
A University of Otago study has revealed that young people gave their backing to a government proposal to bring in a smoke-free generation. The policy is a component of an amendment to a smokefree legislation which may halt sale of tobacco to individuals born after 2008, thus blocking tobacco companies enlisting young persons as next generation smokers.
Professor Janet Hoek, from the Department of Public Health at the University’s Wellington campus, stated that the majority of individuals interviewed regarding the policy gave a high priority for issues keeping future generations free from getting hooked on cigarettes over their right to buy tobacco. Professor Hoek also stated that addiction within families had caused many to witness the impact of health inequities due to smoking and some had battled addiction themselves, feeling that the policy will lead to a healthy future.
The researchers carried out interviews with 20 young people aged 17 or 18, asking them what they knew about the smokefree generation policy and their thoughts on the implications for each person and for society.
Professor Hoek stated that a majority of the participants, specifically participants identifying as Māori, backed the need for government intervention for the benefit of their communities. Some felt positive in relation to the chance for generational change, with one saying: “(The policy) would change the world in a few years. If you stop … the young (from smoking), the next generation will stop.”
Another felt the policy would assist in tackling health inequities, saying: “I think we … owe it to our young people, especially our Māori and Pasifika ones. We need better health outcomes … like 40 per cent of our Māori and Pasifika (people) smoke.”
