New Zealand has abandoned a groundbreaking plan to ban smoking. Last year, it became the first country in the world to introduce legislation to phase out the sale of cigarettes. The leader introduced measures to phase out smoking by preventing new generations of young adults from purchasing cigarettes. The policy was seen worldwide as a bold move to improve people's health. However, the new prime minister has controversially done a U-turn and junked the plans. He said the ban was unaffordable and that the country needed the tax revenues from cigarettes.

The smoking ban was a landmark decision that prompted other countries to follow suit. The UK announced laws that will make it illegal for youngsters to buy cigarettes. A spokesperson said the UK wants "to deliver smoke-free generations". Canada has become the first country to require health warnings on individual cigarettes. Anti-tobacco groups are up in arms over the U-turn. One group said: "Turning the tide on harmful products that are entrenched in society cannot be done by individuals or even communities. It takes good and brave population-level policies."