New Zealand’s Efforts to Reduce Smoking: Unintended Consequences and Controversy
The New Zealand government has been on a mission to eradicate smoking and make the country smokefree by 2025. However, their aggressive anti-smoking campaign has come with unintended consequences and has sparked controversy.
In their quest to eliminate smoking, successive governments have implemented several measures. They first banned tobacco advertising and sponsorship, followed by the prohibition of smoking in indoor public places. The ban was later extended to various outdoor public areas as well. Additionally, the government has consistently increased tobacco taxes, resulting in a significant rise in cigarette prices. What used to cost around $3 now costs approximately $30 per pack.
These measures have led to a notable decrease in the number of smokers, with the smoking population roughly halving. While this may seem like a success, it has also created a divide in society, stigmatizing the remaining 15 percent who still smoke. These individuals have become outcasts, forced to gather outside in the cold, facing judgment, pity, and condescension. With no political party advocating for them, they have become hesitant to voice their concerns in the face of relentless anti-smoking propaganda.
It is important to note that a significant portion of smokers come from the working class. Many of them grew up with smoking and find it difficult to quit. However, the soaring cost of cigarettes has exacerbated their financial struggles, pushing them further into poverty.
Unfortunately, the government’s anti-smoking measures have also given rise to a black market for cigarettes, fueled by theft. This has created a climate of fear among tobacco retailers, particularly small businesses, who constantly live in the dread of being targeted by criminals. Cases of cars being stolen to drive through shop windows are reported frequently, leading retailers to invest in expensive security measures to protect their premises.
Moreover, vaping has emerged as a supposed alternative to smoking. While it is marketed as a safer option, it has succeeded in hooking teenagers on nicotine, reminiscent of the way smoking used to do. The long-term health consequences of this new habit are still unknown, raising concerns about the potential harm inflicted upon the younger generation.
In summary, the government’s crusade against smoking in New Zealand has had unintended negative repercussions. It has further impoverished some citizens, marginalized a significant portion of the population, facilitated a black-market, exacerbated crime rates, endangered small business owners, and introduced a new addictive behavior among young people.
Critics argue that these measures extend beyond protecting non-smokers from second-hand smoke, which was accomplished when smoking bans were initially implemented. Smokers contribute billions in tax revenue, far surpassing the cost of any healthcare they may require due to their habit. By passing away younger, they also leave behind unclaimed pensions, benefiting the economy. Therefore, many argue that the government should leave smokers to make their own choices and focus on more pressing issues.
The motivation behind the government’s persistence can be attributed to multiple factors. On one hand, it serves as a vanity project, allowing New Zealand to claim the title of the first smokefree nation worldwide. Additionally, there is an implicit assumption that longevity is inherently virtuous, disregarding the fact that many people in developed countries outlive their cognitive abilities, leading to a surge in cases of dementia. Sadly, due to the government’s well-intentioned efforts, former smokers may now be condemned to suffer a similar fate.
Ultimately, the authorities’ position seems to reflect Mrs. de Ropp’s behavior in a short story by Saki. Thwarting smokers for their own good appears to be a gratifying pursuit for those in power, founded on the belief that the authorities know what is best for individuals better than they know themselves. However, this approach treats citizens as children rather than autonomous adults.
While the crusades of the Middle Ages were widely deemed unjustified, cruel, and disastrous, the present-day anti-smoking crusade in New Zealand has also faced significant backlash. The unintended consequences of these measures should not be overlooked, and a more balanced perspective should be encouraged when considering future policies related to smoking.
In conclusion, New Zealand’s anti-smoking campaign, although driven by good intentions, has had negative repercussions on smokers and society as a whole. It has deepened the divide within society, given rise to a black market, and introduced new addictive habits among young people. Critics argue that the government should focus on individual choice rather than enforcing measures that further marginalize and impoverish certain groups. As the country strives to become smokefree by 2025, it is crucial to evaluate the unintended consequences and controversy surrounding these policies.
