New Zealand has passed its world first anti-smoking legislation that raises the smoking age to ban those aged 14 and under from ever being able to legally buy cigarettes.

A success today for the Action on Smoking and Health group, who has campaigned to stop the harm caused by cigarettes for more than 40 years.

Robert Beaglehole Chair at ASH told 6PR Breakfast hosts Millsy and Karl that smoking rates in New Zealand for adults and youths are already at record lows.

Press PLAY to hear more on what this law means

“It signals the government’s concern with children and their commitment to our smoke free goal, so the law is not a bad thing,” Mr Beaglehole said.

“Vaping is undoubtably responsible for the fall in smoking for adults – it’s safer, much less harmful and cheaper but of course we are concerned about smoking in young people.”