I don't see a problem to be honest. People who want to will buy AC, it is not prohibited to own one. People who are stubborn and won't buy one will die. Stubborn people refusing AC are usually old people so I think it is a win/win situation.
a) most people where I live are renters. property prices make it so. b) in many if not most places (in Northern Europe), AC requires a permit, is very hard to get approved or even forbidden.
Who issues permits to which machines one can buy? Do you need a permit for a heater? Maybe whoever issues these permits needs their guidelines changed.