The argument that people should be free to choose their behavior cannot be applied to smoking. Those who start rapidly become addicted, creating a craving that totally subverts their freedom to choose. Surveys indicate that two-thirds of all smokers want to quit. The very addictive and deadly nature of smoking is in effect a violation of rights anyway.
We need to treat tobacco relative to the harm it causes. Smoking is tragic and not a trivial vice – it kills 4500 New Zealanders every year. Reputable economic studies estimate that tobacco costs the country $1.5 billion per year, clearly outstripping its associated tax takes.
The simplest and most obvious step is to ban the sale of cigarettes – instead we have half-measures such as smoke-free working spaces, anti-smoking graphics on packets, and soon, smoke-free prisons. The latest suggestion from the District Health Board to have council introducing a ``voluntary smoking ban’’ at Kensington Park is just pussy-footing around. We all know that these voluntary bans will eventually be replaced by official ones, but at present it is merely a timid, irritating gesture. The Deputy Mayor’s comment that education and peer pressure are the main ingredients for getting tough on tobacco is a reasoned response. Both have roles to play against smoking but both merely chip away at the problem rather than achieve durable results.
The Maori Party is clearly leading the charge with a 2020 target to ban smoking in this country.  This is achievable.  At a time when government is in cost-cutting mode, some real leadership is needed right from the top of the Beehive. I believe an outright ban on tobacco sales is the best, cost-effective, long-term solution. This stance is from a smoker who is striving to ‘kick the butt’ too!