“Hugely innovative.” New Zealand bans cigarettes for anyone born after 2009.

New Zealand has banned the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 2009 in a landmark attempt to eradicate smoking.

The new legislation will also slash the number of outlets able to sell cigarettes and cut nicotine in cigarettes to non-addictive levels.

"Thousands of people will live longer, healthier lives and the health system will be $5 billion ($A4.7 billion) better off from not needing to treat the illnesses caused by smoking," Associate Health Minister Ayesha Verrall said.

The move to lock out access to people born after January 1, 2009 – practically anyone 14 or younger at the moment – is aimed at creating a Smokefree generation.

NZ's target is fewer than five per cent of adults regularly smoking by 2025.

New Zealand adopted a steadily rising tobacco-purchase age and mandated the near-elimination of nicotine from all cigarettes sold in the country, pushing forward on a plan to create a smoke-free nation as the US and UK consider similar measures.https://t.co/x7TLBOd7ZE

— Jennifer Maloney (@maloneyfiles) December 14, 2022

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the world-first measures were "huge".

"I hope New Zealand feels really proud of what's happening here in parliament, the forward momentum on our Smokefree New Zealand goals and the Smokefree generation. That is hugely innovative and a real credit to the minister and the Smokefree community which have been working so hard on such ideas in this bill."

NZ's eradication goal was set back in 2011 and has made steady progress since.

A decade ago, 16.4 per cent of Kiwis smoked daily. In 2020, that figure fell to 9.4 per cent and last year, it was eight per cent.

As daily smoking rates are higher among Maori (19.9 per cent) and Pacific peoples (18.2 per cent), Dr Verrall said lowering the smoking rate was important for health equity.

"These measures ... will close the life expectancy gap for Maori women by 25 per cent and by 10 per cent for Maori men," she said.

The Smokefree goal was founded by a National-led government but the opposition centre-right party chose not to support the legislation on Tuesday.

Under the new law, the number of retailers that can sell cigarettes will drop from about 6000 at present to 600 by the end of 2023. Amid smoking rates falling, vaping use is growing. The latest figures reveal 8.3 per cent of Kiwi adults vape daily, up from 6.2 per cent the previous year.

With AAP.

Image: Getty/Canva.

For the first time ever, Instagram has unveiled a ‘year in review’ list, unpacking some of the trending data collated from users of their platform.

And one of the findings was that there is one city in particular in Australia that has been photographed, tagged and posted more than any other this year – and the winner is Melbourne!

It looks like the rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney just might heat up again with this news. 

But with a well-liked transport system, booming coffee and bar scene, alleyways, interesting architecture, skylines, parks and all – perhaps it makes sense why Melbourne took the top spot!

With an abundance of bars, a booming coffee scene, trendy alleyways and a striking skyline, Melburnians and tourists alike don't have to walk far to find a Instagram-worthy snap. #9News https://t.co/1ylKf1OAY1

— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) December 15, 2022

In very important movie news, the first trailer for Scream 6 has just been released and look, it’s pretty creepy. But now we need to discuss if the franchise can survive without its leading lady.

And musician Sam Smith had their outfit shamed after performing their hit song 'Unholy' at the annual New York Jingle Ball. While the people at the forefront of the criticism claim it’s to do with the outfit and nothing else, there’s a much deeper problem at play here.

Plus, a new teaser clip for the next instalment of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Netflix documentary has been released, and it has only strengthened the public’s opinion about Meghan and her motivation behind making the series. There are still three episodes yet to premiere, but it appears this one teaser has already sealed her public fate.

Listen to today's episode of The Spill below:

The father of two men responsible for killing two police officers and a neighbour in Queensland on Monday, has told A Current Affair his sons had "lost their way in life" after turning down a "dark track."

Ron Train has been estranged from Nathaniel and his younger brother Gareth for two decades, explaining that both were "obsessed" with guns.

On the shooting, Train says, "those decisions were made as adults. I can’t accept responsibility for something in an adult mind.

In a bizarre twist, the father of the QLD cop killers has revealed that Nathaniel Train was originally married to Stacey Christoffel, the woman involved in the shooting.

Ron Train had no idea that Christoffel went on to marry Nathaniel's brother, Gareth. #9ACA pic.twitter.com/rEqceMw7Ap

— A Current Affair (@ACurrentAffair9) December 14, 2022

"There’s no excuse for that. No excuses for their behaviour, and I don’t excuse my boys of their actions at all.

"They’ll stand before God in this world. They can’t be brought to justice in the secular world, but they will before God."

Since the rampage it has been determined that the third shooter - Stacey - was originally married to Nathaniel, before marrying the younger sibling. 

Police trying to identify the motive for the lethal attack will trace the brother's online activities, delving into extremist communities online. 

Online posts in the name of Gareth Train featured a myriad of conspiracy material, including claims that high-profile shootings were hoaxes or false-flag operations. 

While Constable McCrow and Constable Arnold were instantly hit and died on Monday, two more officers Constable Kirk and Constable Brough, survived after running for their lives. 

Queensland police have released a photo of Kirk Randall in hospital with his wife. The couple is expecting a baby next month. 

Photo released by Qld Police showing Constable Randall Kirk in hospital with his wife. They're expecting a baby next month. He has undergone extensive surgery to remove bullets from the gunfight at Wieambilla on Monday. @6NewsAU pic.twitter.com/7uif4CbNPB

— Roman Mackinnon (@RomanMackinnon6) December 13, 2022

Netflix Inc's documentary series about Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan has racked up more viewing time on the streaming service than any other documentary during its first week.

The first three episodes of Harry & Meghan recorded 81.55 million viewing hours after its debut last Thursday, Netflix said in a statement. 

More than 28 million households watched at least part of the series.

In the latest teaser to be dropped overnight ahead of tonight's drop (AEST) of three new episodes, Meghan accuses the Palace of conspiring against her.

Harry & Meghan. Volume II: December 15. Only on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/ZfCcsieTHx

— Netflix (@netflix) December 14, 2022

Her friend tells the doco they'd feed stories on her to avoid other less favourable stories being printed about other members of the family. 

“You would just see it play out,” Meghan says.

“A story about someone in the family would pop up for a minute and they’d go: ‘We’ve gotta make that go away.’

“But there’s real estate on a website homepage, there is real estate there on a newspaper front cover. And something has to be filled in there about someone royal.” 

- With AAP

Stephen 'tWitch' Boss, the beloved dancing DJ on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and former contestant on So You Think You Can Dance, has died. 

His wife, Allison Holker Boss, confirmed his death in a statement to People.com.

He was 40.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us,” she said.

“Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans.”

The statement did not include any detail on the cause of his death.

DeGeneres issued a statement on Twitter, writing, “I’m heartbroken. tWitch was pure love and light. He was my family, and I loved him with all my heart. I will miss him. Please send your love and support to Allison and his beautiful children – Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia.” 

I’m heartbroken. tWitch was pure love and light. He was my family, and I loved him with all my heart. I will miss him. Please send your love and support to Allison and his beautiful children - Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia. pic.twitter.com/lW8Q5HZonx

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) December 14, 2022

If you think you may be experiencing depression or another mental health problem, please contact your general practitioner. If you're based in Australia, 24-hour support is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

Would 16-year-old you have been switched on enough to make an informed decision at the polling booth?

The Greens are pushing to lower the voting age to 16 saying our democracy is stronger when more people are able to participate in decision making, but are we giving 16-year-olds too much credit? Are we armed with enough information and maturity to make that call at that age?

Today we listen to both sides of the argument for allowing 16- and 17-year-olds make the choice on who runs the country.

Feature image: Getty/Canva.