BONGS NOT WRONG SAY GEAR SELLERS

Banning drug bongs and pipes in a new health action plan will harm
rather than help cannabis smokers, say pro-drug lobbyists.

Sellers of the paraphernalia in Auckland yesterday doubted that the
legislation would cut cannabis use and said banning bongs, or water
pipes, would be harmful because they took toxins out of the smoke.

"People will make their own equipment because Kiwis have their No 8
wire approach," said Chris Fowlie, of The Hemp Store in the city centre.

Paraphernalia specifically for the use of banned drugs was already
illegal, he said, yet sellers got around the law by saying the gear
could be used for smoking tobacco.

Another drug-gear seller said a law change "will not affect one
person, except us."