New Zealand smoke-free by 2025?

WELLINGTON - New Zealand should severely limit the import and use of tobacco and aim to become a smoke-free nation by 2025, a parliamentary committee recommended yesterday.

'that sucks'

Prime Minister John Key, who had been briefed on the report's recommendations ahead of its release, said on Tuesday that "it would be extremely difficult" to make New Zealand smoke-free by 2025 but that his government acknowledged the harm smoking caused - the reason it has increased taxes on tobacco products.

The New Zealand Medical Association, representing most of the nation's doctors, said it "strongly endorsed" the committee report's goals, which it said would have a dramatic effect on improving public health. LINK