Public smoking ban not favoured by Key
A proposal to ban smoking at beaches and other public places doesn't have the support of Prime Minister John Key, who thinks it is too "nanny state".
The Auckland Regional Public Health Service last week said it would urge tougher measures in a submission to the Maori affairs select committee's inquiry into the tobacco industry and the effects of tobacco use on Maori.
The Auckland service wanted the law banning indoor smoking at workplaces extended to playgrounds, outdoor eating areas, beaches, the area outside buildings, cars when a child under 16 is present, public transport stops and pedestrian malls.
Already many local authorities have banned smoking in areas used by children, such as playgrounds, sports fields and beaches.
The latest proposals would reduce smoking opportunities for workers and bar patrons, forced outside or onto the street by the smokefree environments law.
Mr Key told Breakfast on TV One that he personally disliked smoking.
"I've never smoked anything in my life and I don't like smoking," he said.
However, stopping people smoking in areas such as beaches seemed extreme. "I think its a big step to do that, I really do. I think there are certain places where it might make more sense, maybe a park where there's kids."
He said in large spaces like beaches it would be hard to demonstrate harm.
"I don't want to get into a nanny state where I am telling people absolutely how they run their lives in every form."
The ban on over the counter sales of pseudoephedrine was different and served New Zealand's interests, he said.
But banning smoking would not work any better than prohibition had stopped people drinking alcohol.
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Comments and questions7
Thank god some-one can see sense and not turn the state into 'a nanny state'. With all the advertising and propoganda that we have been hounded with do the people making the decisions not realise that it doesnt work especially within the Maori community. There are also too many businesses that would be affected by a further smoke ban and do the people who make the decisions not think of this as well. Also non smokers also have a choice of not entering areas that are used for smoking ie designated areas so why dont they apply that choice and stay away
all very well... but why should the smokers be the only ones to enjoy sitting on the pavement outside cafes. It would be nice to be able to enjoy the fresh air rather than be smoked out by all the smokers.
On behalf of the 75% + of the population who choose not to smoke and especially on behalf of all children there is nothing worse than walking down a street in a town or city with people smoking. There is also nothing worse than siing inside a cafe with people ouside smoking and the smoke wofting into the cafe. Ban smoking altogether I say. It does no good but causes harm to the minority who do smoke and paid for by the whole community predominantly by the 75% + who do smoke.
Add another tenner to each pack. That'll do it.
I'm sure when you check the facts, smoking tax more than covers the costs Mr non somker... As for children, I don't have any and can't... I don't particularly like going to cafes withe noisy children running around, but accept peoples chioces.. how about you do the same.
The Prime Minister should take a look in other places where smoking is already banned and see the improvements, maybe this will give him better idea on what smoking ban is about. Something tells me that he will approve the ban after all.
Sam, drug rehab San Jose
If cafe's and bars are all you're worried about why not leave it up to the owner to decide? Smoking inside or not or whatever and people can vote with their feet i.e. don't like it go somewhere else! Oh, but you want to go to that cafe where all the cool people are smoking but not have to put up with the smoke... hhhmm - tough! You are not a highschool teacher for the nation!! Get a life, make your own choices and stop trying to tell everone else what you want them to, or not to, do.
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