Burgeoning Full Smoking Ban.

[Khandro]

Britain will soon become the first country in the world to ban smoking via a phased ban (the legal age for smoking will rise by a year, every year). All political parties support this so there is not likely to be much debate or scrutiny. 

Is this is about far more than cigarettes though, is it another step in the rise of illiberal government? 

[naomi24]

I was reading about this and one example given was that it will eventually become illegal for a 41 year old to buy cigarettes for a 40 year old.  This is not only restrictive, controlling and intrusive, it's a stupid idea.

[ToraToraTora]

Didn't NZ do it? Good idea anyway and while we're at it ban those disgusting smelly vape things. What is wrong with the saucepans these days? Take it from me kids you look the opposite of cool.

[ichkeria]

Presumably it will be debated 

[Ken4155]

Didn't NZ reverse it with a change of government?

 

[naomi24]

What's that TTT?  To hell with your freedoms - I don't like it so do as I say?  You sure you want that sort of thing imposed?

[davebro3]

I think it was proposed in NZ then put on hold (can't be bothered to look it up).

It will only drive things underground. More hassle for the police, more profit for the crims.

[davebro3]

I doubt if youngsters will take a blind bit of notice of TTT (or anyone on AB!).

[youngmafbog]

I thought NZ backed out in the end, and this is what will happen here.

Whilst it is a good aim to cut smoking and thus save lives this must also be countered with the problems of a Nanny State. 

It is of course another indication we do not have Tory's in power, only TINO's.

[ichkeria]

It won't happen overnight: that surely is the point of the approach: it'll take decades and the hope is that the phased approach will address some of the issues 

[ToraToraTora]

naomi: "What's that TTT?  To hell with your freedoms - I don't like it so do as I say?  You sure you want that sort of thing imposed?" - Lots of "freedoms" are curtailed when they impact others. It's about the long term erradication of a disgusting habit. The rest of the world will follow us as they always do.

[naomi24]

Smoking doesn't necessarily impact others these days. TTT.   

[ichkeria]

For years the Ulster Unionists opposed compulsory wearing of seat belts on the grounds of "freedom of choice". Ask them about that now (apart perhaps from the increasingly purpureous Sammy Wilson. The worry I'd have is the crime one although this is going to be such a slow burner -  so to speak - that I think that's less of an issue: tobacco products won't suddenly disappear 

[ToraToraTora]

of course it does. You can't sit outside a pub these days, you have to walk through a crowd of them and their detritus in every door way. They are incapable of using a bin. They have massive indirect costs that we all have to pay for, eg insurance premiums etc.

[ToraToraTora]

.....actually I think a count down may be needed on this ......10....

[nicebloke1]

We will go down the same path shall we? How much crap is your jag pumping out into the air TTT?

[naomi24]

TTT, so ban it in public places.  

[bhg481]

The comparison between TTT's Jag (and my Diesel Volvo) is a good one; they're not banning them, they're just persuading/compelling new owners not to buy one ie, the equivalent of stopping teenagers staring to smoke but not banning current smokers.

[ToraToraTora]

10:00 this is not a polution argument, please start another thread if you want to talk about polution.

[ToraToraTora]

.....9.......

[nicebloke1]

You could call me a hardened smoker, so you could say I know what i am talking about.( not bragging about it) vapes got me off smoking tobacco 6 years ago.

The vape I use are the ones you load yourself, not this crap from China ( pre loaded throw away) that kids are buying.

Someone gave me one of the above some time ago to try, trust me, it was that strong it nearly blew my head off and sent me dizzy. Its the right thing to do, to ban these and try and protect kids from using them. As for the rest, tobacco, there are less and less people smoking now due to the cost, even vaping is getting less and less. There is no need for government to take any further action in my view.