U.K.’s Government Proposes Generational Tobacco Ban, Plain Packaging & More

[El Presidente]

The British government has introduced its updated Tobacco and Vapes Bill. While it backs off controversial plans to ban smoking in outdoor pubs, if passed, the proposed legislation would make the United Kingdom one of the strictest anti-tobacco countries in the world.

 

Also included in the updated proposal:

• Plain packaging for all tobacco products
• Banning flavored vapes
• New licenses for retailers that include a £200 fine for underage sales
• Banning outdoor smoking in certain places, such as playgrounds, outside schools and outside hospitals

CONTINUED

[ha_banos]

Leave my pubs alone! 

[Chitmo]

Doesn’t sound so bad, here in Canada (or at least where I am in NS) you have to be 20 meters from any public building. Being a smoker earns you pretty similar treatment as a criminal depending where you choose to light up. You can get away with smoking weed in more places than smoking a cigar 😆 

[ha_banos]

Can we register cigars as a religious ritual or something? The church of El Tabac or something sounds good. Protected status. Bish bosh.

[99call]

9 hours ago, ha_banos said:

Can we register cigars as a religious ritual or something? The church of El Tabac or something sounds good. Protected status. Bish bosh.

You just sit on the front pew, and I'll stuff one of those swinging incense chargers with a handful of lit BBFs, and set the mother going.  Gregorian chants in the background...perfect.

[Miner]

Don't we already have all of that in Oz?

[99call]

21 hours ago, ha_banos said:

Can we register cigars as a religious ritual or something? The church of El Tabac or something sounds good. Protected status. Bish bosh.

I was going to add with could have @Ken Gargett putting his expertise to good effect and performing communion, with a wonderful selection of wines...but I'm pretty sure this would have the church font boiling over. 

[Jack]

21 hours ago, ha_banos said:

Can we register cigars as a religious ritual or something? The church of El Tabac or something sounds good. Protected status. Bish bosh.

In the U.S. this would actually work. Plus your house of worship can gain a tax exemption.

[BrightonCorgi]

3 hours ago, Jack said:

In the U.S. this would actually work. Plus your house of worship can gain a tax exemption.

I don't think that would exempt cigars from plain packaging.

[Arabian]

I’m not into politics..

—more tobacco restrictions..

 

 

 

[Jack]

14 hours ago, BrightonCorgi said:

I don't think that would exempt cigars from plain packaging.

I know a lawyer who could write the scripture in a way that requires original packaging from the source in order for it to be holy enough for the sacrament. (No offence meant to anyone here, just for fun.)

13 hours ago, Arabian said:

I’m not into politics..

—more tobacco restrictions..

...and look what happened to Mel's character in that film!

[Corylax18]

11 hours ago, Jack said:

In the U.S. this would actually work. Plus your house of worship can gain a tax exemption.

Yes, it Definitely would. Here in Denver this is an "International Church of Cannabis". Weed Laws have liberalized tremendously since it first opened, so its mostly just a tourist trap now, but I have a feeling they're making more money than ever. 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/International+Church+of+Cannabis/@39.7092454,-104.9829088,271m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x876c7ee32f4c65c7:0xe9fef77e0f54530f!8m2!3d39.7091597!4d-104.9822776!16s%2Fg%2F11g6xl5y8n?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTEwNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

https://elevationists.org/

 

[SCgarman]

I'm very happy the US hasn't chose to target/ban/restrict the cigar industry here. What other countries are doing just seems over the top. Stay out of my house, bedroom, and humidor cabinet!! Here in my neck of South Carolina, there are plenty of cigar retailers/ lounges available. Marijuana is also illegal in my state, and hopefully it stays that way. 

[CaptainQuintero]

6 hours ago, SCgarman said:

I'm very happy the US hasn't chose to target/ban/restrict the cigar industry here. What other countries are doing just seems over the top. Stay out of my house, bedroom, and humidor cabinet!! Here in my neck of South Carolina, there are plenty of cigar retailers/ lounges available. Marijuana is also illegal in my state, and hopefully it stays that way. 

  There's some states (NY?) that have banned smoking in public spaces? I remember Colt saying he had to stop his MonteA walks in I think central park because of it?

  Is that more an outlier or the thin end of the edge there?

[SCgarman]

38 minutes ago, CaptainQuintero said:

  There's some states (NY?) that have banned smoking in public spaces? I remember Colt saying he had to stop his MonteA walks in I think central park because of it?

  Is that more an outlier or the thin end of the edge there?

Tends to be an outlier, more prevalent in certain areas that lean towards a more heavy handed legislative way of governing. But myself live in a large tourist destination area. You could likely even enjoy a cigar under your beach umbrella on the sand, if discretion is used. Tons of cigar retailers and lounges. I have yet to hear of any plain packaging or war on cigars here. But the almighty tourist dollars rule, and anything that repels vacation folks is counterproductive. We have a store called Total Wine and More. One side is liquor, including bottles of single malt in the $$thousands. Other side is wine, beer of all kinds from all countries and a cigar walk in humidor that would make any member here foam at the mouth 🤩 Literally the size of a small Walmart Supercenter.