this post was submitted on 27 Feb 2024
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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.

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[–] Varyk@sh.itjust.works 40 points 8 months ago (18 children)

Wtf, it's difficult to imagine a more directly harmful and scientifically evidenced habit.

absurd

[–] nom_nom@lemmy.ml 2 points 8 months ago (2 children)
[–] natecox@programming.dev 30 points 8 months ago (1 children)

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 12 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 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.

[–] Palerider@feddit.uk -3 points 8 months ago (2 children)

As someone who struggles with alcohol, ban that shit as well...

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world 10 points 8 months ago (3 children)

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.

[–] Cryophilia@lemmy.world 7 points 8 months ago

...unless it's nicotine, because that's different, for some reason

  • Lemmy
[–] Palerider@feddit.uk 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

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.world 4 points 8 months ago

So drink less, don’t ban it for everyone else.

[–] lanolinoil@lemmy.world 0 points 8 months ago (1 children)

lol except tabacco for some reason right?

[–] SatansMaggotyCumFart@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

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.

[–] lanolinoil@lemmy.world 4 points 8 months ago

I think it was the vibe of the thread

[–] circuscritic@lemmy.ca 3 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Because that worked so well before.

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