Gerry Brownlee National Party Ilam MP

19 March 2003

Nanny state strikes again with smoking ban

National Party MP Gerry Brownlee is urging his Parliamentary colleagues to take a deep breath before rubber-stamping a law, which heralds a further intrusion into our private lives and personal freedoms.

He's commenting on select committee changes to the Smokefree Environments (Enhanced Protection) Amendment Bill which could see all smoking banned in clubs, bars, RSA's and restaurants in as little as 15 months.

"It's the thin end of the wedge for a politically correct nanny state that's determined to tell us how to run all aspects of our lives," says Mr Brownlee.

"The Government's already telling us what we should be watching on television, now they're telling us what we shouldn't be doing in the rest of our leisure time.

"It's yet another a blatant attempt at social engineering," says Mr Brownlee.

"I have never smoked cigarettes and have no love of cigarette smoke.

"But as much as it is my choice to avoid places that are Smokey, so should it be the choice of publicans and restaurateurs to allow smoking in their establishments," he says.

"Many small operators in the hospitality industry are likely to be put out of business if this intrusion is allowed to become law.

"I'm calling on all my Parliamentary colleagues to consider this matter seriously when the issue's put to a conscience vote," says Mr Brownlee.

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