2FIRSTS | New Zealand Associate Health Minister Casey Costello Warns on Illicit Cigarettes as Legal Tobacco Sales Halve Over Decade
NZ Associate Health Minister warns illicit cigarettes may offset legal tobacco sales decline, which halved over past decade.Summary
New Zealand Associate Health Minister Casey Costello reported that legal tobacco sales have fallen by more than half over the past decade, with a further 20% drop in 2025 compared to 2024. However, she cautioned that this decline may not solely reflect reduced smoking rates, as increased availability of illicit cigarettes could be a significant factor. Government data shows per-capita cigarette sales have fallen nearly 80% since 2010. To combat illicit trade, health authorities conducted over 11,000 compliance activities between July 2025 and June 2026, including inspections and controlled purchases. The government also introduced stricter vape regulations, such as restrictions on disposable vapes and higher penalties for underage sales. Costello emphasized that illicit tobacco undermines public health goals, reduces tax revenue, and may be linked to broader criminal activity, urging policymakers to consider both legal sales data and illicit market trends when evaluating tobacco control effectiveness.
(Source：2Firsts)
