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New Zealand repeals world-first smoking ban passed by Jacinda Ardern (www.independent.co.uk)

submitted 8 months ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/worldnews@lemmy.world

172 comments fedilink hide all child comments

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

Cannabis was illegal when I started smoking it. We tried banning alcohol, and look how that turned out.

[–] Grimy@lemmy.world -1 points 8 months ago

I think there's a huge difference between them. Alcohol and weed is used occasionally by most and is more of a social activity("lets go for drinks, lets smoke a J"). Smoking affects all it's users negatively while the others really only do so for a small subset of the population.

No one only smokes occasionally, it is much more addicting then the others for the general population and isn't done in a social context neither. No one invites their friends for a cigarette on a Friday night.

There is just nothing positive about cigarettes. I don't think it's at all comparable.