So It looks as though a full ban on tobacco being sold to anyone born on or after 2009 will be going ahead as it passed its first hurdle in parliament MPs back smoking ban for those born after 2009 - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-68824493
My thoughts:
Am I glad my two children will be far less likely to start smoking cigarettes?
Definitely yes. I wish I had never started and just had the occasional cigar or pipe rather than 20/30 a day that I smoked in my teens and 20s.
Infringement on personal liberty?
Yes! I believe in freedom of choice alongside good access to health education so people make informed decision. Generations of smokers probably started on cigarettes without a clue what the dangers are.
Enforceable ?
It will be almost impossible when those in the cutoff age (like my daughter) turn 30 or 40 and someone a year or two older can buy tobacco. The requirement on shops and websites will be impossible to monitor and check.
Will it eventually mean further reduction in Pipe tobacco and cigar choices as we get older?
Definitely yes. The UK market will become increasingly reduced and difficult to sell to so I can't see pipe tobacco producers bothering in 20 years or so. (The last 5 years have already seen elevated costs of import from Europe and we have lost some brands)
It's a law against cigarette smokers and I think cigar and pipe smokers are collateral damage!! Other countries watch this space as if it's successful I'm sure others will follow...
My thoughts:
Am I glad my two children will be far less likely to start smoking cigarettes?
Definitely yes. I wish I had never started and just had the occasional cigar or pipe rather than 20/30 a day that I smoked in my teens and 20s.
Infringement on personal liberty?
Yes! I believe in freedom of choice alongside good access to health education so people make informed decision. Generations of smokers probably started on cigarettes without a clue what the dangers are.
Enforceable ?
It will be almost impossible when those in the cutoff age (like my daughter) turn 30 or 40 and someone a year or two older can buy tobacco. The requirement on shops and websites will be impossible to monitor and check.
Will it eventually mean further reduction in Pipe tobacco and cigar choices as we get older?
Definitely yes. The UK market will become increasingly reduced and difficult to sell to so I can't see pipe tobacco producers bothering in 20 years or so. (The last 5 years have already seen elevated costs of import from Europe and we have lost some brands)
It's a law against cigarette smokers and I think cigar and pipe smokers are collateral damage!! Other countries watch this space as if it's successful I'm sure others will follow...