Burgeoning Full Smoking Ban.

[Khandro]

Britain will soon become the first country in the world to ban smoking via a phased ban (the legal age for smoking will rise by a year, every year). All political parties support this so there is not likely to be much debate or scrutiny. 

Is this is about far more than cigarettes though, is it another step in the rise of illiberal government? 

[naomi24]

What is that countdown all about?  I never understand why you do that, TTT.

[Redhelen72]

Absolutely stupid that a 59 year old will not be able to buy but a 60 year old would be!

If an adult chooses to smoke then they should be able too

Is the Government going to ban drinking too?

[ToraToraTora]

"Absolutely stupid that a 59 year old will not be able to buy but a 60 year old would be!" - it seems like that now but in when that could happen in 45 years time they'll look back at the time when people used to fiilter toxic chemicals out of fumes using their own lungs as equally "absolutely stupid".

........8.......

[nicebloke1]

10.18 TTT. Ha ha you are so funny! So tobacco dont polute the air????  :0))))

[davebro3]

yes - they should do summat about drinking too. Prohibition didn't go too well in America but I definitely think their 21 age limit would be a good step to take.

[ToraToraTora]

it does but that's not the reason for the ban or this discussion.

[ToraToraTora]

......7....... come on you know you want to!

[ToraToraTora]

10:25....all will become clear when it happens Naomi.

[tomus42]

There were similar complaints about nanny statism when we were told to wear seatbelts in cars, helmets on motorbikes, and prevented from smoking inside public buildings.

No-one gives those a second thought now because they're obviously sensible things to do.

As long as we're paying collectively for a health service with very stretched resources, why should peoples NI contributions go to curing self inflicted diseases.

[naomi24]

I never see that as a really valid argument, Tomus.  You could say the same for sports imjuries.  People choose to play rugby for example.  Getting their teeth knocked out or their leg broken is a chance they take.

[ToraToraTora]

tomus 10:32 I was with you 100% until.... "....why should peoples NI contributions go to curing self inflicted diseases." - almost every case in hospital can be traced back to having been self inflicted.

......6......

[nicebloke1]

If I'm sitting outside a pub in the summer enjoying a drink, I dont want an old banger passing by pumping out crap into the air no more than you want to walk your way through a doorway of smokers. :0))

[davebro3]

5 4 3 2 1 BOOM!

[naomi24]

TTT, could you answer my question please?  What's the countdown all about?

[bednobs]

i can't imagine there is anybody who doesnt think this is a good idea!

even people who smoke a lot can't think that it's a great habit for young people to  take up, surely? and anyone who is an adult now will still eb able to smoke forthe rest of their lifetimes

[ToraToraTora]

Naomi you'll know when I get to 0 or it happens.

.......5......

[ToraToraTora]

bang on bednobs.

[youngmafbog]

One of the biggest problems with this is enforcement.

How will it be enforced?

[THECORBYLOON]

RED, "Absolutely stupid that a 59 year old will not be able to buy but a 60 year old would be!"

If there is a minimum age for something to be legal, it follows it must be illegal on the day before that minimum age.

"If an adult chooses to smoke then they should be able too"

Should that also apply to those adults who choose to smoke illegal drugs?

 

[THECORBYLOON]

That should have been "...take illegal drugs?" not smoke them.