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.

  • ikidd@lemmy.world
    159·
    10 months ago

    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.

    • BluesF@lemmy.worldEnglish
      65·
      10 months ago

      Cigarettes do fuck all and then kill you. As a former smoker - ban cigarettes, please. Let us have the fucking fun drugs for god’s sake, not the pointless cancer sticks!

    • kaffiene@lemmy.worldEnglish
      48·
      10 months ago

      People can have a occasional drink without doing harm. There’s no non harmful level of smoking

    • mojofrododojo@lemmy.worldEnglish
      513·
      10 months ago

      I’ve never seen people struggle with alcohol and pot like I’ve seen (and struggled myself with) nicotine. YMMV, but perhaps getting some actual life experience around addicts might give you some perspective. I’ve known heroin addicts that had tougher times leaving tobacco behind.

      • ikidd@lemmy.world
        72·
        10 months ago

        You’ve never seen how people are destroyed by alcohol?

        Dying is one thing; the suffering alcoholism can bring to everyone in the situation is heartbreaking, and it can take decades to play out before it finally kills the addict. And nobody can change anything except them. But of course, they don’t.

        I’ve watched family kill themselves with hard drugs, it’s pretty quick comparatively. It’s ugly, but after they manage to ignore all help, they do themselves in fast when they get serious about it.

        I hardly need your condescension about addictions there, buddy. I’ve seen it all too closely.

      • Kroxx@lemm.eeEnglish
        41·
        10 months ago

        Alcohol/benzo withdrawal is the only kind of withdrawal that kills people, it can cause a seizure that literally kills you