There’s a fresh push from the medical community for Australia to follow in New Zealand’s lead and ban future generation from buying cigarettes.

New Zealand’s parliament has introduced the world-first legislation prohibiting anyone who was born after 2009 from buying cigarettes.

Those who are older can still buy the product, but it will be limited.

University of Queensland’s Dr Gary Chan told Sofie Formica there’s an argument for introducing the same policies here.

He says 20,000 Australians each year who die from smoking-related illnesses.

“If we can restrict access to [tobbaco] products, we can save lives.”

Press PLAY below to hear more about why he supports the idea