Abstract
New Zealand is the first country to enact legislation to “denicotinise” cigarettes to minimally addictive levels. The decision drew on strong scientific evidence that denicotinising cigarettes leads to significant reductions in cigarette smoking and dependence, and increased quit attempts and quit success. These benefits occur with few adverse consequences; participants in clinical trials do not compensate for the lower levels of nicotine by smoking more and nor do they suffer severe withdrawal symptoms. Research suggests denicotinising cigarettes will also accelerate switching to alternative products such as vaping devices resulting in reduced exposure to toxicants. Critics’ unsubstantiated concerns about growth in illicit tobacco are almost certainly greatly exaggerated, particularly given strengthened enforcement activities introduced by the previous government and the availability of viable alternative sources of nicotine. The public health benefit of denicotinising cigarettes is likely to be profound. Repealing this measure risks seeing around 5000 New Zealanders continue to die every year from smoking and a persistence of associated health inequities.