Tobacco is already on its way out. The state should not deny adults the right to make personal decisions for themselves, says Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins
Tobacco is already on its way out. The state should not deny adults the right to make personal decisions for themselves– hold a belief does not make it wrong. Smoking is unpleasant, but in this week’s parliamentary debate, the word nicotine could have been replaced by cannabis, alcohol, ultra-processed foods, base jumping or mobile phones for children. All have their dangers.
to inject into the election campaign. It does not ban anyone from smoking, despite appearances. It bans shops from selling cigarettes to an ever-expanding age cohort, currently anyone under 18, with the legal cutoff increasing by one year each year. People born in or after 2009, in other words, will never be able to legally buy a cigarette in Britain. The bill’s target is shopkeepers, charged with juggling the ID cards of hordes of adult purchasers and presumably proxy buyers.
For all that, more than 6 million Britons still smoke, their burden on the NHS relieved only by their paying £10bn in tobacco taxes and dying – on average – younger. Despite the comfort smoking has long brought to many people – not everyone is a nicotine addict – there must be a public interest in discouraging its consumption. In its lengthy study of this debate, Transform comes down firmly in favour of simply extending what has worked.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Vaping debate: doctor’s reticence over tobacco money raises questions over conflict of interestDr Carolyn Beaumont’s website prescribes vapes without a direct consultation, and she has given education presentations without declaring financial support from tobacco company
Read more »
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan says government will roll out tobacco shop licensing by end of yearVictoria will finally set up a tobacco licensing scheme, more than two years after it was recommended, as part of a crackdown on the illegal tobacco trade that has sparked a spate of fire bombings.
Read more »
Victoria to introduce tobacco licensing scheme amid firebombingsVictoria is set to introduce a long-awaited scheme that will require retailers to obtain a license to sell cigarettes, in a bid to stop the illegal tobacco trade.
Read more »
Ireland’s smoking ban 20 years on: how an unheralded civil servant triumphed against big tobaccoTom Power led an alliance that brought about the pioneering health initiative which has since been adopted by more than 70 countries – and has saved countless lives
Read more »
Illegal tobacco industry pushing new product experts say is aimed at childrenNicotine pouches marketed with fruit and confectionery flavours such as mint, watermelon and gummy bears are being illegally imported into Australia.
Read more »
Illegal tobacco industry pushing new product experts say is aimed at childrenNicotine pouches marketed with fruit and confectionery flavours such as mint, watermelon and gummy bears are being illegally imported into Australia.
Read more »