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.

  • @VarykEnglish
    2•4 months ago

    More false equivocation.

    I don’t see anyone arguing against conditionally positive effects of nicotine or inhaling plant smoke.

    This complaint is specifically about cigarettes.

    People have lots of reasons for lots of things, and sometimes those reasons, like deriving profit from purchasing scientific studies and marketing demonstrably carcinogenic indulgences, affect others.

    • FfaerieOxide
      3•4 months ago

      like deriving profit from purchasing scientific studies and marketing demonstrably carcinogenic indulgences

      If a company engaged in untoward practice, punish that company for that practice. Don’t punish unrelated smokers by illegalizing their activities.

      Alot of stuff, also, causes cancer. We gonna ban maillard reactions and The Sun now?

      • @VarykEnglish
        1•4 months ago

        Can you cite the comparable artificial carcinogenic additives to the maillard reaction and the Sun that makes the maillard reaction and the Sun cancer-causing, and how the maillard reaction and the Sun have been marketed by their respective industries to addict several generations to their harmful products?

        Or are you making further false equivocations?

        • FfaerieOxide
          1•4 months ago

          Can you cite the comparable artificial carcinogenic additives to the maillard reaction and the Sun that makes the maillard reaction and the Sun cancer-causing, and how the maillard reaction and the Sun have been marketed by their respective industries to addict several generations to their harmful products?

          Whoa now, are you arguing for additive free cigarettes or illegalizing tobacco? Keep up.

          And The Sun is absolutely addictive. Block it out and see the shakes society experiences.

          • @VarykEnglish
            1•4 months ago

            Neither, you’re confusing your insincerity with superiority.

            The sun is necessary, not addictive.

            • FfaerieOxide
              1•4 months ago

              The sun is necessary, not addictive.

              Oh, I’m sure you “could quit any time” you want.

              • @VarykEnglish
                1•4 months ago

                You’re sure that people can quit the Sun? The source of literally all life on the planet?

                Love to hear your reasoning there.

                • FfaerieOxide
                  1•4 months ago

                  You’re sure that people can quit the Sun? The source of literally all life on the planet?

                  I’m not. My position is that the sun is addictive. You’re the one who seems to think they can quit anytime they want, as indicated by your forwarding of the stance that the sun is not addictive.

                  • @VarykEnglish
                    1•4 months ago

                    Air isn’t an addiction, it is a necessity. Food is not an addiction, it is a necessity. Sunlight is not an addiction, but a necessity.

                    Cigarettes are an addiction, not a necessity.