Victory for the Tobacco companies. No new law to protect children

[Gromit]

The Ex-Deputy Chairman and a director of British American Tobacco must be very pleased now he is back in Government and in the Cabinet.

// In March 20 senior doctors called for a sweeping extension to anti-smoking laws, urging the government to prohibit smoking in vehicles and public places visited by children like parks and playgrounds.

Its report warned that 9,500 children had to be admitted to hospital every year due to passive smoking. //

Now the Government's new health minister has said "We have studied the smoke-free legislation and decided not to proceed with the planned review, because we feel the legislation is working."

http://www.telegraph....iew-is-cancelled.html

Ken Clarke and his mates at BAT will be happy tonight.

What are your opinions for and against the now dead law to protect children?

[sandyRoe]

Perhaps this is an unkind thing to wish on anybody, but I hope Ken Clarke developes a smoking related fatal disease

[R1Geezer]

Whilst I agree this disgusting habit needs stamping out I don't think anyone is serious about doing it. Even if the full anti smoking measures where carried out. We are still down to the hardcore so why not tax them out of it. If they where £100 a pack kids couldn't afford to start. There's an easy Blue Geezer badge here!

[naomi24]

This is crazy! We continually hear 'the powers that be' demonsing smokers and banging on about the dangers posed to themselves and to others by their habit, so why the hell don't they just ban tobacco and related products? Oh, yes of course. Lucrative revenue! Hypocrites all!!

[craft1948]

I'm a smoker and have been for nearly 50 years.............make it illegal and I'll stop.

[naomi24]

Exactly Craft! I'm not a smoker, but I have no objection to anyone smoking in my company and I really hate this constant demonisation of people. Bloody ban it and be done with it! Problem solved!

[R1Geezer]

With Gromit's permission of course I would like to award Naomi a Blue Geezer badge!

[naomi24]

Sorry Geezer, but is that good or bad?

[alexanderd]

Im a smoker if they tried to introduce cigarettes now it would br impossible but they will never ban smoking, it brings in too much money

[mike11111]

The revenue from tobacco is so great that banning smoking would means significant tax increases elsewhere, the burden of which would fall on smokers and non-smokers alike.

[craft1948]

So come on......all those rabid anti-smokers would surely volunteer to pay extra income tax to protect all the poor non-smokers.

[naomi24]

I wish Geezer would come back and tell me if a Geezer badge is good or bad.

[craft1948]

I'd rather have a Naomi badge......

[naomi24]

You got it! Here's looking at you kid. ;o)

[R1Geezer]

craft get's one too! It's neither good nor bad it's just recognition for having espoused a common myth. Ie in this case that smoking is a net contributor to the treasury.

[R1Geezer]

many above too but I aint giving them all out!

[craft1948]

er thanks geezer.......I think.

[askyourgran]

If tobacco is still sold legally over the counter, people will buy it. Ban tobacco in all its forms, and people will either deciide stop or go underground with imported (smuggled tobacco. What about human rights, can a person be made to stop by actually banning a product that is still popular with a large section of society? There will always be a hard core of people who will not or cannot give it up. Wayne and Waynetta will still smoke in front of the kids when all is said and done. Maybe advertising common sense of not smoking in childrens playgrounds or within the vicinity of childrens

[naomi24]

Ah, I see. Thanks for clarifying that Geezer. The one I've given Craft is definitely good. In fact it's equivalent to my Gold Star award which is at the opposite end of the scale to my now famous (at least in R&S) custard pie in the mush! :o)

[craft1948]

I'm very thankful that my daughter has never smoked.........she said I put her off it. I was very surprised how many young people smoked on my last visit to France, they certainly don't seem to be getting the message over there.

[craft1948]

Gold Star award = teef.