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New Zealand scraps world-first smoking ‘generation ban’ to fund tax cuts (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 9 months ago by stopthatgirl7@kbin.social to c/worldnews@lemmy.ml

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Health experts say axing plan to block sales of tobacco products to next generation will cost thousands of lives

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[-] Frittiert@feddit.de -2 points 9 months ago

As a human being with my own rule over my own body I have the right to do with it as I please.

If I want to consume addictive cancer sticks until I die a slow, painful death, I have the natural freedom to do so, and laws, taxes or fines won't stop me until I'm really locked away.

So I support other peoples freedom to smoke. It is just inhaling smoke from burning plant matter, which may be an irrational choice, but is my choice.

[-] atan@lemmy.ml 11 points 9 months ago

Then grow your own. Your natural right of control over your own body doesn't extend to the markets and industry of the society you live in.

[-] TheMetaleek@sh.itjust.works 1 points 9 months ago

If you do that, then you should also forfeit your right to use publicly funded hospitals that already struggle enough with people suffering of conditions they did not ask for voluntarily. Smoking is not just a cost for your body, but for society as a whole, hence the justification in a ban

[-] Frittiert@feddit.de 4 points 9 months ago

While I see your point, this could be extended to people doing dangerous sports for fun, eating unhealthy foods or engaging in any activity where one could get hurt.