Should the old style, cheap light bulb be phased out?

A proposal to phase out incandescent lightbulbs is extremely unlikely to go ahead under the new National Government.

Prime Minister John Key stood by National's policy in opposition against the Labour Government's plan to implement a new standard for lightbulbs, which would see old incandescent lightbulbs phased out by the end of next year.

Debate on this issue is now closed. Here is a selection of Your Views:

Tom Foolery (Wellington City)
Thursday December 18, 2008 Good call Mr Brownlee.

We changed the bulbs in our office and the drop in light levels was atrocious. And the new lamps cost 10 times what the old ones did.

When there is a good economic alternative we'll change to it.

Meantime thank you National for giving US the choice !

Paul (Napier)
Thursday December 18, 2008 Yep, the ban needed to go. The power saved by CFL's would hardly make John any friends in the power industry, plus we are not a world-leading country and need to step back as far as possible from that position. Leave it to the others to show us the way, we'll just follow - cautiously of course.

Tony Kelman (Albany)
Thursday December 18, 2008 National are exactly right its not the governments business unless there is a serious public health risk and shame on labour for trying too force low income families to buy these expensive bulbs at a time when they can barely afford food for their children.
Considering also that power prices are rising so fast the net saving of power less the cost of the bulbs is not recovered for several years after purchase.

A Surfer (Piha)
Wednesday December 17, 2008 Well done Mr Brownlee! I take my hat off to you sir for recognising the ridiculous decision of the previous Government.

Incidentally, I see they the previous Govt are saying to the media now that "It wasn't a ban, we were just gradually phasing out the old bulbs." What a load of hogwash! We are not stupid! Don't try 'n' mince your words with us.

I'm Not Tellin' (Highland Park)
Tuesday December 9, 2008 Yes, they should be phased out eventually. However, I don't think the technology is quite there yet. These mercury based lights, while more efficient, are a hazard to dispose of. Perhaps the newer LED based lights, when they become more affordable, are the way to go.

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