New Tobacco Law

[baza]

Just went out to buy 25g (1oz) of Old Holborn and was told it is no longer available only 30 and 50g, they did give me a card with the following details, no hand rolling tobacco in less than 30g, no cigarettes in less than packets of 20. Do they think making us buy more will help us addicts to give up ?

[Jackdaw33]

1. As if 5g makes any difference. Pathetic on the government's part.
2. As a long-standing smoker I would never buy 50g as it goes dry long before you get to the end.

[Mamyalynne]

It's a cack handed attempt to stop people buying small amounts to suit their pocket - it won't have the desired effect.

I always kept my 50g pouches in a tin.

[Jackdaw33]

50 g (2 oz) always came in tins, no pouches. My father would only buy half-ounce packets which he decanted into a tin for that very reason.

[Mamyalynne]

True, but they are pouches now.

[Jackdaw33]

When I was in the RAF, 12/6 a tin (2 oz). Lasted me a week. You needed a half-crown to prise the lid off, though.

[baza]

As I opened the pouch to enjoy the ritual of rolling a fag I noticed in big letters " smoking kills give up " , what , after paying out for the baccy I am going to enjoy it. Crossing the road can get you killed but you do not see warnings on footpaths.

[New Judge]

This legislation has been in force since May (though there is a one year “transitional period” to allow manufacturers and retailers to sell old stock). Needless to say it stems from the EU (the Tobacco Products Directive which the UK government adopted as the Tobacco and Related Products regulations, 2016).

The idea of the larger packets (it is said) is to allow space for “health warnings” such as pictures of diseased lungs. The tobacco companies challenged the new rules but the European Court of Justice ruled that they were valid. (Though to be fair, I believe the UK courts upheld the new legislation before it went to the ECJ).

[dannyk13]

It's a far cry from when you could buy one Woodbine for 1d

[Jackdaw33]

I remember that, Danny.

[anneasquith]

Some smokers can purchase 10 pack per day, if only 20 pack available they will smoke what is in their possession. Crazy law makers .

[Mamyalynne]

10 packets are no more.

[baza]

5 weights a penny book of matches, 2 ha'penny chews and that was a shilling well spent.

[Mamyalynne]

To be banned, don't know if 10s have been.

[Jackdaw33]

Weights weren't available here, it was Woodbines. You're right about the price though, 10d for 5 Woodies, 1d for a book of matches and 1d for chewing gum to disguise the smell of smoke when you got home. As you say, good value for a shilling.

[dannyk13]

I think some of us are showing our age.

[Jackdaw33]

Cigs were regularly sold in packets of 5. If I was flush I would splash out on 5 Senior Service, a whole shilling.

[dannyk13]

If you were stationed in BAOR a shilling would buy you 20 cigs

[Jackdaw33]

Before my time, Danny.

[dannyk13]

The 50s before your time Jack?

[Jackdaw33]

I was only a boy then. Late 60s before I joined the mob.