215
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.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] Timecircleline@sh.itjust.works 4 points 8 months ago

I think I remember reading that smokers, paradoxically, cost less to the social security net systems including healthcare because they die so young. So I guess don't feel so bad? Other than the money and health problems.

For real, I'm sorry that you have this addiction that forces you to take part in an activity it sounds like you don't enjoy (or at least the enjoyment does not even out the downsides for you.)

[-] Timecircleline@sh.itjust.works 5 points 8 months ago

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3533014/

Canada did a separate study in 2017 which includes lost productivity for shorter years of life and that obviously was a huge cost to the system.

[-] Grimy@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

I will quit again but I ultimately wish I had never started, and I'm fairly certain that sentiment is found in practically all smokers.

I understand the importance of having choice, even bad ones. But if 99% seriously regret one of the choice and are affected negatively with no gain by it, why even offer it?

And society can easily shrug off the negative effects but it's just not healthy imo. A solid percentage of our population is a slave to this stuff and it's just bad form.

The 99% might be an exaggeration, I'm clearly not impartial about it.

this post was submitted on 27 Feb 2024
215 points (96.1% liked)

worldnews

4836 readers
1 users here now

Rules:

  1. Be civil. Disagreements happen, that does not give you the right to personally insult each other.

  2. No racism or bigotry.

  3. Posts from sources that aren't known to be incredibly biased for either side of the spectrum are preferred. If this is not an option, you may post from whatever source you have as long as it is relevant to this community.

  4. Post titles should be the same as the article title.

  5. No spam, self-promotion, or trolling.

Instance-wide rules always apply.

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
Rooki@lemmy.world
FlyingSquid@lemmy.world
jordanlund@lemmy.world