Section 14

Dr Philip Nitschke is planning to launch his latest book The Peaceful Pill Handbook in Auckland next month (Dominion Post, Jan 26, pA5) and there are concerns that the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) will “review” the book.

The book includes recipes for fatal drug cocktails and instructions on how to make a “peaceful pill” - a DIY suicide tablet.

Office of Film and Literature Classification spokesman David Wilson said it had not reviewed the book, but it was possible it would do so because of the content.

It would most probably be reviewed for criminal activity, he said.

Though suicide is not illegal, it is a crime in New Zealand to incite someone to take their own life.

The office could ban the book or place restrictions on its purchase, including an age limit.

When the book was published in the United States in September, it was classified as a prohibited import by Australian Customs. A more recent decision by the Australian OFLC has meant that the book can be sold to people over 18. Importing the book is still banned and the Australian government is seeking a total ban.

Dr Nitschke’s visit to New Zealand for the book launch is already under a cloud as the Medical Council of New Zealand has written to the Ministry of Health seeking Dr Nitschke’s prosecution here.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 26th, 2007 at 8:52 am and is filed under Health, Books, Suicide. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.