In the same days that the Maltese parliament was enacting a controversial law on the use of cannabis for recreational purposes, at the other end of the world New Zealand was laying down its long-term plan to eliminate smoking.

Here in Malta, we are making it easier for anyone to grow cannabis plants at home, carry a limited amount of the drug without fear of prosecution, and basically encouraging youngsters to embark on the wrong path of drug use.

We are normalising the use of drugs.

The government is calling it the responsible way of doing things, but it is not listening to NGOs and experts who believe the contrary – that such a law will pave the way for a sharp increase in the number of people who use cannabis.

And, as we all know, many are those whose first impact with drugs is cannabis, but who then progress to harder, more dangerous drugs, with all the consequences that this will bring about.

Instead of attempting to shut the door to cannabis use, the government is opening it wide enough for anyone to be tempted to enter.

It is rather bizarre that in the past decades successive Maltese governments have declared war on tobacco, making it harder for smokers to maintain their habit by enacting laws that prohibit smoking in closed places, and even in open areas where children are playing.

Now the government is boasting of being the first country in Europe to make recreational cannabis use legal, just a few years after introducing laws covering the medicinal use of the drug.

We had then said that the legislation on medicinal use of cannabis was only the first step towards legalising recreational use of the drug. Few expected that the transition would take just three years.

While all this was happening, with the Maltese government ploughing on in spite of the warnings and calls for a revision, New Zealand was taking steps to eventually and hopefully eradicate smoking, one of the main killers in today’s world.

As from next year, it will enact a law that bans smoking to people aged 14 and under. The minimum legal age to buy cigarettes would keep rising year after year meaning that, in theory at least, 65 years after the law takes effect, people could still buy cigarettes but only if they prove they were at least 80 years old.

New Zealand authorities are hoping that smoking will fade away earlier, with the plan put in place by the government seeking to having fewer than 5% of New Zealand smoking by 2025. At present, statistics show that only 11% of New Zealanders smoke.

The plan also includes allowing the sale of low-nicotine cigarettes only, and reducing the number of stores with permission to sell tobacco products.

At the end of the day, both tobacco and cannabis are known to cause physical harm and dependence. Governments spend millions to treat people who take up the habit, and who suffer the consequences.

While New Zealand is planning for a healthier nation that would also reduce the strain on the health sector, here in Malta we introduce laws to make the situation worse.

And the government boasts about it. Go figure.