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.
Came in here to criticize the concept of a smoking ban based on comparisons to prohibition and the "war on drugs" in America, but reading through the article it actually sounds somewhat reasonable. Using regulation to reduce nicotine content sounds fantastic - no one should be forced to smoke if they don't want to, and making tobacco less addicting might actually help to accomplish that.
Still not a fan of prohibition as a means of addressing health issues, but I suppose it's different when your country has universal healthcare.
Smoking makes lots of money for the tobacco companies and for governments. Hence not wanting to ban it.
It’s a weird drug of choice;
-Super addictive.
-Doesn’t really do anything except briefly offset addiction withdrawl symptoms.
-Very expensive.
-Makes people smell really awful.
Lemmy: ban cigarettes because they're bad for you, but not alcohol which is worse and, oh btw, legalize marijuana because it's totally not like cigarettes.
I still don't understand why Lemmy likes these sort of laws. There are plenty of vices that people have. Who cares? What's the harm in letting adults make their own decisions so long as it affects just them?
Like ban smoking in public thoroughfares and such where one couldn't avoid secondhand smoke, etc but what does anyone need to be concerned with if an adult smokes a cigarettee otherwise?