Anti-smoking groups want a smokefree NZ by 2040

Photo / Kenny Rodger

New Zealand anti-smoking groups want to see the world become smokefree by 2040.

Delegates from our National Tobacco Control Working Group are heading to Singapore next week to submit a proposal to the World Conference on Tobacco or Health.

Being 'smokefree' would mean less than 5 per cent of the world's population being smokers.

Executive Director of the Smokefree Coalition Dr Prudence Stone concedes it's a very hard ask.

She says the key will being aggressive with big tobacco companies, who'll definitely be aggressive about preventing change.

The New Zealand delegation also wants tobacco removed from trade agreements, and treated the same as the likes of arms, ammunition and asbestos.