Injunction filed against euthanasia book

The man dubbed Dr Death was waiting last night to hear if a last-minute injunction would prevent the sale of his controversial book.

Speaking from his hotel room in Christchurch, Australian euthanasia campaigner Dr Philip Nitschke said it had been a nervous wait to hear if he could sell copies of his book, The Peaceful Pill Handbook.

The Society for Promotion of Community Standards submitted the interim restriction order in an effort to hold the sale of the book before today's launch, spokesman David Lane said.

The book was due to be launched at the Euthanasia Matters conference in Christchurch today, and will be available for sale at a workshop at Cargills Hotel, Dunedin, tomorrow.

Dr Nitschke, who was looking forward to his Dunedin talk, said he was likely to return to the city, despite pro-life campaigners targeting his venues in Christchurch and Dunedin.