Winston seems to think smoking isn’t bad for you

Stuff reports:

Winston Peters has criticised the anti-smoking lobby and Maori leaders, saying ordinary Maori are being saddled with a massive tax on smoking most of them don’t want.

Translation: Winston’s addiction is costing him money. I’ve got a solution for poor old Winnie though. The Government could add Quitline to the list of Super Gold Card services!

Mr Peters also questioned why the Japanese lived so long and have low rates of heart disease and stroke when they have the world’s highest smoking rate and said obesity was the main health concern for Maori, not smoking.

Oh dear, Winston must be lining up to be Health Minister in a Labour-led Government.

Incidentally Winston is wrong. The smoking rate in Japan is 24%. A Gallup poll found 21 countries with a smoking rate of over 30%.