Smoke Free Generation

[Dogtrousers]

I've not seen much about this in the media. After the start of next year shops won't be able to sell tobacco products to anyone born after 1 January 2009.

Note the wording. Not "to anyone under 18 years of age". The date is hard-coded. If you turn 18 on the 1st of Jan you will be able to buy ciggies. But if you turn 18 on the 2nd you will never be able to buy ciggies. Ever. In the year 2049 they will be checking 40-year olds for proof of age.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/selling-tobacco-herbal-smoking-products-and-cigarette-papers

The aim is to create a smoke-free generation.

There's only one other country with a similar law - that's the Maldives. New Zealand passed such a law but a change of government meant that it got repealed before it was enforced. Some Australian states have been discussing it but I don't think anything has come of that.

I was a fairly heavy smoker from my teens into my 30s, punctuated by months and years of giving up here and there until eventually one giving-up campaign actually stuck long term.

It's a weird addiction. I was a heavy drinker and gave that up for health reasons too (in my 40s). If you offered me immunity from the physical harm caused by alcohol I wouldn't be interested. I'm done with it. But if someone said I could take a pill and tobacco smoking would have no ill effects on me I'd grab the pill and dash off down the tobacconists shop.

Not starting smoking is a tremendously good idea. I've no idea if this law will help. I hope so.

 

[fossyant]

The kids all vape anyway ! No body smokes ciggys, certainly youngsters. They vape heavily.

 

[Drago]

Thell be happy to hop kpin a car and drive 200 feet and pollute the air we all breathe as soon as theyre old enough.

 

[Once a Wheeler]

In general, I am in favour of this. However, how does the law then treat people who smoke cigarettes which have been given to them? It would seem sensible to leave that question alone since people trying a cigarette out of curiosity to know what it felt like would not be criminalized. Time will tell if restrictions need increasing or reducing. And, of course, there is a background assumption that one should try to keep healthy if you are going to rely on the NHS. Though even that is debatable as activities such as rock climbing, motor racing and a host of other sports and activities naturally involve an increased degree of risk.

 

[farfromtheland]

Does this include nicotine patches? Nicotine can be a useful anti-inflammatory but you have to read Chinese and Indian medical research to discover this.

 

[Dorset Boy]

In general, I am in favour of this. However, how does the law then treat people who smoke cigarettes which have been given to them? It would seem sensible to leave that question alone since people trying a cigarette out of curiosity to know what it felt like would not be criminalized. Time will tell if restrictions need increasing or reducing. And, of course, there is a background assumption that one should try to keep healthy if you are going to rely on the NHS. Though even that is debatable as activities such as rock climbing, motor racing and a host of other sports and activities naturally involve an increased degree of risk.

Isn't horse riding the most dangerous past time of the lot?

 

[tyred]

I support the idea in principle, but a lot of fags out there come from the black market anyway.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Does this include nicotine patches? Nicotine can be a useful anti-inflammatory but you have to read Chinese and Indian medical research to discover this.

No. It's tobacco in all its various forms, "herbal smoking products" and ... dum dum dumm ... cigarette papers.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

Something I'm in favour of (nb I'm an ex-smoker, gave up 20 years ago but even now, cigarette smoke doesn't bother me in the slightest.

The kids all vape anyway ! No body smokes ciggys, certainly youngsters. They vape heavily.

Include vaping in the regulations. Put in place mechanisms so those giving-up smoking can obtain vapes to help them but widespread availability without apparent constraint seems to me playing Ruiiian Roulette. And even in the days I was smoking (from age 16) I was aware of the health impacts, lung cancer risk, etc. I'm not sure 16 year old vapers are aware of risks as nobody seems to have identified the long term risks (or isn't publicising them).

 

[a.twiddler]

Well I'm sure some government department has established the legality of this but I predict someone in the future will make a legal challenge. Having established a precedent, what's to stop similar restrictions being imposed on anything sometime in the future that the powers that be regard as undesirable such as fossil fuel products, air rifles, lead ammunition, motorcycles, certain categories of motor vehicles, ad infinitum.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

.... Having established a precedent, what's to stop similar restrictions being imposed on anything sometime in the future that the powers that be regard as undesirable such as fossil fuel products, air rifles, lead ammunition, motorcycles, certain categories of motor vehicles, ad infinitum.

I think "similar restrictions being imposed on anything sometime in the future that the powers that be regard as undesirable such as" would be looked at when such a proposal was made eg how serious and widespread, impact of restriction, impact of what is to be regulated, etc. and if it makes sense then fine, restrict it.

Remembering that smoking is not a requirement for the human species, it is addictive, does significant harm, imposes significant costs onn both those who smoke s well as those who don't, etc. And what is the impact of regulation using a sliding age restriction to stop youngsters ever adopting the addiction?

In some ways we are moving in the same direction eg with restrictions on sales of new ICE cars by whatever date politicians are slipping it to. But the intent is to phase out hydrocarbon fuelled cars.

 

[gbb]

The human race in general is stubbornly, remarkably, staggeringly adept at circumventing rules, add to that the 'im immortal' attitude the young often have, theres little doubt the already all pervasive black market will greedily fill the void, it will just grow fatter on the opportunity created.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

The human race in general is stubbornly, remarkably, staggeringly adept at circumventing rules, add to that the 'im immortal' attitude the young often have, theres little doubt the already all pervasive black market will greedily fill the void, it will just grow fatter on the opportunity created.

To me that doesn't mean we don't try. Why do we bother to tax anything when people just find loopholes? Why do we make any "recreation drugs" illegal?

Few thinks are 100% effective but "greatest good, greatest numbers", Regulation being discussed would certainly significantly reduce smoking addiction, helping many with better health, better financially (smoking is very expensive), save NHS, etc.

 

[gbb]

To me that doesn't mean we don't try. Why do we bother to tax anything when people just find loopholes? Why do we make any "recreation drugs" illegal?

Few thinks are 100% effective but "greatest good, greatest numbers", Regulation being discussed would certainly significantly reduce smoking addiction, helping many with better health, better financially (smoking is very expensive), save NHS, etc.

Oh dont get me wrong, the idea is good, my thinking is a rather jaded one, knowing how it will often be circumvented .
Then again, if they get caught with hooky cigarettes, hopefully the law will come down even harder on the sellers (corner shops in Peterborough are prolific in selling dodgy cigs, an occasional one gets closed down regularly)
As a belt and braces, perhaps they ought to look at hammering down even harder on shops found selling dodgy cigs to those that fall into this new law. Jail time...now that'd be something.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

Jail time...now that'd be something.

Bit off-topic but it's a general chat thing anways.

Community Payback. Whilst I don't appreciate the "cost" (organisation, management, transport, etc.) it's got to be cheaper than prison and it does mean the community actually gets something eg parks and public spaces maintained. Maybe the works Community Payback supports can be broadened, though I don't know what areas it already covers.

I like the idea that the community gets something out of it (and that it's a lot cheaper than prison).