Banning cigarette sales to anyone born after 2000!

[Grahamsant]

This may have been discussed previously as the article mentions that it was also discussed in Australia. Doctors in the UK are planning to vote on whether or not the sale of cigarettes should be completely outlawed to anyone born after the year 2000.

The full article is here...http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jun/23/doctors-vote-cigarette-sale-ban-children-born-2000

I understand why there are considerations but I personally feel this is a step too far. By all means, enforce rules to ensure those under 18 do not buy cigarettes and that way when somebody does purchase cigarettes they are able to make an informed choice as an adult. But throwing a complete blanket ban over anybody born after 2000 is just a fraction of a step away from taking away a persons rights to freedom of choice simply because of the year they were born in.

I get the feeling that if this were to pass...it would be too easy to restrict other freedoms we have. Also if it does pass, it's extremely close to simply saying...let's completely ban smoking and the sale of cigarettes in the UK full stop!

Interested to see others opinions....

[Diamondog]

Will never happen, too much money to be made in sales, taxes, medical treatment etc...

[potpest]

Saw this today aswell, absolutely ridiculous. The role of a Doctor is to treat and advise those who are ill, not repress our freedoms.

I never understand people who dedicate their lives to stopping other people having the choice to do something which does not affect them. If you don't want to smoke, then don't. Educate on the facts and then leave us alone to do as we wish with our own bodies.

[jeremyk]

Crazy that stuff like this is allowed to happen all over the world

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[laficion]

That is how they always start, and then................etc,etc,etc..............It's dictatorship !!!!!!!!!!!

[CUBANO]

^ so true.

[shlomo]

Cant put a blanket statement saying this is bad either. Cigarettes are bad not because big brother says so, but because they really are.

If we use the argument that it's our choice and our bodies, then crack, heroine and speed should be unregulated also.

Still, DD is correct in saying there is FAR too much money to simply ban.

[dangolf18]

I think a better alternative would be ban the sale of cigarettes with added chemicals to those born after 2000 (why not 1997 or 1998 though?). Those that want to smoke would still find a way (black market, online ordering, duty free, etc.). This would be feasible for a small country like the UK, but obviously would never happen in a large country like the US.

[Maplepie]

If we use the argument that it's our choice and our bodies, then crack, heroine and speed should be unregulated also.

I'd love that. no more useless drug wars and forcing people to create new dependant drugs like Krokodil.

Plus, if the government really cares about us, why don't they start regulating Chloroform, Ether, and toluene? :/

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[polarbear]

Anyone who starts smoking as of now is fully aware of all the health problems it causes

The fact that smoking is bad for you is no longer a secret. Even if by some miracle of ignorance you happen to start smoking without knowing how bad its is, someone will tell you sooner or later.

If banning cigarettes is the ultimate goal then this is prob the best option because it allows current smokers to continue on until they quit or die without allowing future generations to start the cycle all over again, that being said, banning cigarettes is a flawed idea in the first place.

Whist I do not smoke cigarettes, I find it hypicritcal for a governement to want to outlaw something they cheerfully endorsed for more than 50 years all while collecting taxes from it. A government that is prepared to say "you know how we didnt care if you did that thing, yeah well now we do, so dont do it" is a dangerous concept.

Its a common catch cry but, if they can do this to cigarettes, how long until they set thier sights on Alcohol with the same dedication as they have tobacco?

[LLC]

With more fuel efficient vehicles and hybrid or electric cars becoming more popular governments are already trying to figure out how to make up for lost gas tax revenue. Last timing they can afford is giving up taxes on cigs.

[MIKA27]

This entire thing about Governments banning "Smoking" is ridiculous.

I also do not smoke cigarettes but this ban will also creep in and affect cigar smoking eventually.

We'll all end up like Arnold Schwarzanegger in the movie the 6th day where we have to hide and sneak in the garage to enjoy a Cuban cigar because they are outlawed.

[melies]

Because Banning things has always worked so well and has never brought any unwanted consequences or a black market...

[shlomo]

I'd love that. no more useless drug wars and forcing people to create new dependant drugs like Krokodil.

Plus, if the government really cares about us, why don't they start regulating Chloroform, Ether, and toluene? :/

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The obvious answer is that they don't care. They just want taxes....

[Grahamsant]

Don't get me wrong. I know cigarettes are bad and they are extremely difficult to stop (I am 3 weeks and 3 days without a cigarette and doing well so far but the craving is still there and this isn't exactly the first time I've tried!!) so I get why a ban would have its benefits.

My main issue with this is the potential knock on effects. If they can ban to anyone born 2000 or after then why not ban it to everybody? Why not ban tobacco products all together? And then the thinking will be...what else can we ban?

I think this could have serious impacts on us who enjoy cigars! Even if bans are to people born after 2000, slowly but surely there will be less and less people who can buy and so less and less products will be imported. If there's less products being imported then the prices will absolutely go through the roof!

As has been said already there is an awful lot of money in cigarettes for the government through taxation. If they aren't getting their expected revenues through tobacco duties and tax then yet again taxes will be raised further to counter the loss.

Again, it's not that I think that banning it is without merit...I just think that there's far too much potential for any ban to expand beyond just cigarettes and there's too much potential for fall out effects on the humble taxpayer.

[Skyfall]

This is reciculous. Pretty soon we will all be breaking into the Library just to have fun. This idea is cartoonish at best! Everybody is so annoying these days with their thrive patches and supplement shakes, organic BS, and snake oil tonics and charleton sauce, what ever happened to just good old fashioned tobacco and caffeine. Both of my grandad's used tobacco since their early teens, drank 2 pots of coffee a day, at least a pound of bacon everyday, and a pint of Whiskey by sundown. They both fraught in wars and lived to be in their late 90's. Societies around the world are fabricating a generation(s) of serious *******, a real gang of wankers! Everybody is allergic to everything and all have attention deficit disorder. When I was growing up I knew one kid in my entire town who was actually really allergic to something. Now a days, kids bodies shut down after a spoon full of chicken broth! I won't be a part of it and contribute, condone or support such nonsense and jackassery!

[MIKA27]

I think there is alot more health issues and dangers just by going for a walk down the street.

I live in Melbourne, the amount of traffic on our streets, the exhaust fumes, radio waves from towers (Wi Fi potentially also a danger, yet to be proven), all these things would have a bigger impact on ones health than even a cigarette... Will these be getting banned? Nope, fuel and oil is a Monopoly, governments make money off it.

[dvickery]

macdonalds a&w kfc etc are responsible for a lot more health problems than tobacco use ... wish these reformed smokers would move on and start targeting "junk food" . time to start taxing big macs 900% .

derrek

[potpest]

macdonalds a&w kfc etc are responsible for a lot more health problems than tobacco use ... wish these reformed smokers would move on and start targeting "junk food" . time to start taxing big macs 900% .

derrek

McDonalds and KFC aren't to blame, eating too much mcdonalds and kfc is. I live a 10 minute walk from both; miraculously I've managed to stay a healthy weight. It's time people took responsibility for their own actions, stop trying to blame everyone else for your own choices.

[canadianbeaver]

Smoking in Canada already bans smoking in cars where there are children, in front of hospitals and public areas. This bans sales to children who are 14 and under, and they are already not allowed to buy cigarettes unless thet are 19 here. Not sure exactly what the laws are in the UK.

There has to be rules made by someone, and citizens and voters lobby their members of government. They don't just sit around and come up with stuff in a basement on their own.

What's the big deal?

[Vinnyc]

McDonalds and KFC aren't to blame, eating too much mcdonalds and kfc is. I live a 10 minute walk from both; miraculously I've managed to stay a healthy weight. It's time people took responsibility for their own actions, stop trying to blame everyone else for your own choices.

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Exactly it's these people the " I'm big boned" no my dear it's the big hunks of flesh hanging off the bones are the issue. Unfortunately as a society we always look for someone else to blame. To the point where coffee now has to come with a hot warning on it.

[potpest]

The groups plan is to outlaw tobacco in the uk by 2035, as a cigar lover and a liberal thinker this is a pretty big deal. We're not talking about restricting the use of tobacco to your own home or to a certain age group, but gradually making it illegal.

[DoubleDD]

Just wait for the black market or organized crime influence. Tons of money to be made and the criminal element knows it.

[pbibby]

Smoking in Canada already bans smoking in cars where there are children, in front of hospitals and public areas. This bans sales to children who are 14 and under, and they are already not allowed to buy cigarettes unless thet are 19 here. Not sure exactly what the laws are in the UK.

There has to be rules made by someone, and citizens and voters lobby their members of government. They don't just sit around and come up with stuff in a basement on their own.

What's the big deal?

The big deal had been addressed already. The point is, they are trying to regulate individual responsibility down the crapper. It's a slippery slope. That's the big deal.

[pbibby]

Also, the same people that want to ban smoking and cigars (at least in the US) want to make Marijuana legal without knowing all of the effects. (for another day....)