NEW ZEALAND. On 13 December the New Zealand parliament passed primary legislation for its Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Bill. Its stated aim is to “significantly limit the number of retailers able to sell smoked tobacco products”.
Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) President Sunil Tuli said: “The New Zealand parliament passed primary legislation on 13 December 2022 for its Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Bill and has not yet published the draft regulations or confirmed any detail regarding the sale of duty free tobacco. This is not expected until a later date (as yet unspecified).”
He added: “During the open consultation period on the Bill, in August 2022 APTRA wrote to the New Zealand government to request that the Select Committee consider the unique nature of the duty free channel. This includes the rigorous retail conditions of operating in a very controlled environment, meaning that access to duty free retailing is restricted to travellers with a valid travel document.”
In turn, this means that youth access to tobacco products in duty free is restricted.
Tuli added: “Once the draft regulations are published APTRA will follow up with the Government as appropriate.”
The progress of the Bill can be followed at this link.
