Reversal of smoking ban criticised as ‘shameful’ for lacking evidence

Reversal of smoking ban criticised as ‘shameful’ for lacking evidence

New Zealand is repealing the world’s first smoking ban passed under former prime minister Jacinda Arden’s government to pave the way for a smoke-free generation amid backlash from researchers and campaigners over its risk to Indigenous people.

The new coalition government led by prime minister Christopher Luxon confirmed the repeal will happen on Tuesday, delivering on one of the actions of his coalition’s ambitious 100-day plan.

The government repeal will be put before parliament as a matter of urgency, enabling it to scrap the law without seeking public comment, in line with previously announced plans.

    • Nate Cox@programming.devEnglish
      503·
      9 months ago

      Alcohol is indeed bad for you, but not on the level of cigarettes. Cigarettes are intentionally filled with additive chemicals that both cause them to be hyper addictive and substantially raise the risk of cancer. They are designed to be deadly from the ground up in the name of making a few extra bucks.

      Vast sums of money have also been spent on inveigling the public into believing that cigarettes are better for you than they actually are, up to and including the purchasing of scientists to draw false conclusions in public studies in order to present cigarettes as healthy.

      The sheer maliciousness of the cigarette industry is shocking and terrible, I just don’t think there’s a real comparison here.

      • Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social
        182·
        9 months ago

        Also, tobacco is a lot harder to grow and process than alcohol. I’ve got everything I need in my house right now to mix up a batch of mead, and I don’t even have any specialized equipment. A quick trip to the hardware store and I’ve got a still. It’s also not like weed where you can have a plant in a closet and get a couple months worth of flower.

      • SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.worldEnglish
        243·
        9 months ago

        My heart goes out to you because alcohol is a cruel mistress.

        But banning a substance never works, if it did we wouldn’t have people addicted to illegal substances.

        • PaleRider@feddit.ukEnglish
          21·
          9 months ago

          I appreciate the sentiment but I hold down a full time job (I absolutely don’t drink on the job. I work heavy machinery) and have a normal (as it gets) family life… I should just drink less.

          • SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.worldEnglish
            32·
            9 months ago

            You’re the second person to talk about cigarettes which I’m pretty sure I haven’t mentioned.

            Am I missing something here?

            I’m not for banning anything besides personal WMDs and carnies.

      • circuscriticEnglish
        132·
        9 months ago

        Because that worked so well before.