Search Here

The steady increase in tobacco over the last few years has had its positive effects by cutting down the amount of smokers. New Zealand aims to be a smoke-free country by 2025. However, it seems like a distant dream to see the country absolutely smoke-free within the stipulated time.

While price rise has definitely reduced the number of smokers, it has also caused some severe unhealthy and unwanted side effects. Increased prices and prohibition may result into illegal markets. Tobacco is already being sold on the black market in New Zealand. As a result, the organized crime has started taking interest in the illegal market, created by the government. Due to this reason, the government will not only lose money in taxes but creation of black market obviously creates criminals too. This can pose as a financial burden on the police and justice system of the country, as reported by PerfScience.

In the last few years, the government has not been able to control the falling quality of tobacco. Because of the profitability in illegal tobacco, the immoral dealers mix poor quality ingredients with the illegally acquired tobacco. As of tobacco harm wasn't enough, these low-priced components pose additional health risks to the smokers and non-smokers alike. With an aim to make higher profits, the criminals start to sell tobacco mixed with other unlawful drugs. As the smokers gain access to the illegal sellers of tobacco, they also get exposed to the other prohibited drugs and the drug users, says Top News

The other concern is of the smokers who will keep smoking regardless of the cost attached to the habit. As a result, they start to compromise on healthy food, medication and doctor visit as well as other such necessities to keep supporting their habit of smoking. This will not help make New Zealand any healthier, reports stuff.co.nz