NZ Seeks to Kill Smoking, $100 a Pack??

From the Toronto Star and other sources this morning, they have this headline: "New Zealand considers $100-a-pack cigarettes to curb smoking" with these highlights: "New Zealand’s government is considering $100-a-pack cigarettes as part of its tough program to stamp out smoking by 2025. The idea of charging $5 a cigarette is the most radical of several ideas floated in a Ministry of Health discussion paper. 'Whatever it takes' is the reaction to the idea from New Zealand’s associate health minister Tariana Turia. Prime Minister John Key was more skeptical, saying he feared the consequences in black market sales of cigarettes. The New Zealand government cabinet has agreed in principle to follow Australia’s lead and package all cigarettes in boxes that are essentially health warnings rather than brand names. New Zealand and Australia have a level of public support and political engagement to be in the vanguard of tobacco control."

Personally, I've never been a smoker, nor a fan of this "habit". This is an interesting development and push for New Zealand. When we visit there during our Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland cruise on the Solstice, it will be interesting to see where and how this issue evolves/moves.

Full story at:

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1167014--new-zealand-considers-100-a-pack-cigarettes-to-curb-smoking

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 74,533 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

Yes this is correct the New Zealand Government are currently trying to totally ban tobacco sales within New Zealand by 2025. They are adding a minimum 10% to the cost of cigarettes every year. Currently and 20 pack of cigarettes are approx NZ$15 a pack and are expected to rise to NZ$20 at the end of this month.

Those who do smoke don't worry about visiting here, you can still smoke but in restricted areas, in food areas and most public buildings they are totally smoke free.

All hotels and motels are smoke free but you can walk outside to smoke.

The same applies to the all Airports, Hospitals and School Grounds.

Yes this is correct the New Zealand Government are currently trying to totally ban tobacco sales within New Zealand by 2025. They are adding a minimum 10% to the cost of cigarettes every year. Currently and 20 pack of cigarettes are approx NZ$15 a pack and are expected to rise to NZ$20 at the end of this month. Those who do smoke don't worry about visiting here, you can still smoke but in restricted areas, in food areas and most public buildings they are totally smoke free. All hotels and motels are smoke free but you can walk outside to smoke. The same applies to the all Airports, Hospitals and School Grounds.

Appreciate the added background and details. Look forward to visiting your country for the first time in early 2014.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 77,913 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

Yes this is correct the New Zealand Government are currently trying to totally ban tobacco sales within New Zealand by 2025. They are adding a minimum 10% to the cost of cigarettes every year. Currently and 20 pack of cigarettes are approx NZ$15 a pack and are expected to rise to NZ$20 at the end of this month.

 

Those who do smoke don't worry about visiting here, you can still smoke but in restricted areas, in food areas and most public buildings they are totally smoke free.

 

All hotels and motels are smoke free but you can walk outside to smoke.

 

The same applies to the all Airports, Hospitals and School Grounds.

One of the good things that has happened. Even one of our favourite shopping area Botany Town Centre is a completely smoke free area, inside and outside of shops!!! Yes bring it on....:cool:

After years of putting up with horrible smokey pubs and restaurants we have enjoed smoke free ones for the past few years. And guess what, these establishments are busier than ever.

Quite some time ago, I posted on a Cruise Critic thread about smoking, that some members of our Govenment (NZ) wish the country to become smoke free by 2025, my post was removed.

Quite some time ago, I posted on a Cruise Critic thread about smoking, that some members of our Govenment (NZ) wish the country to become smoke free by 2025, my post was removed.

Not sure why it would have been removed but they are very strict here about staying on topic in threads, maybe they thought your post was not relevant to the thread topic.

One of the good things that has happened. Even one of our favourite shopping area Botany Town Centre is a completely smoke free area, inside and outside of shops!!! Yes bring it on...

Yes I also enjoy Botany Shopping Centre great place to shop, the speciality stores there are amazing.