New Zealand passed the world's first law prohibiting the sale of tobacco to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, in a bid to phase out smoking for the next generation and make the country smoke-free by 2025.

•  According to the Guardian, the number of stores legally permitted to sell cigarettes will be reduced by a tenth, from 6,000 to 600 across the country.
• The law passed its final reading on Tuesday evening and will go into effect in 2023, as New Zealand strives to become "smoke-free" by 2025.
• Associate Health Minister Ayesha Verrall stated, "Thousands of people will live longer, healthier lives, and the health system will be $5 billion better off from not needing to treat the illnesses caused by smoking, such as numerous types of cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and amputations."