Smoking Ban Bill (UK) Passes First Hurdle

x65943 · Apr 17, 2024

The conservative government of Rishi Sunak has advanced a bill that would see purchase of leaf tobacco products, such as cigarettes, banned for all those born from 2009 on.

It has passed its first parliamentary vote and now moves on to the amendments phase. If passed, it would be among the strictest such tobacco bans in the world. New Zealand attempted a similar ban last year but scrapped it before coming into effect.

Some in the conservative party have questioned Sunak's intentions and accused him of crafting a nanny state - which previous PMs Trus and Johnson have said go against the core tenets of conservatism itself.

https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/br... and Vapes Bill,health, disability and death".

Veho · Apr 17, 2024

Did the tobacco industry refuse to pay the usual bribes or something?

x65943 · Apr 17, 2024

Veho said:
Did the tobacco industry refuse to pay the usual bribes or something?

They are complaining that this will fuel a black market and actually increase smoking rates, not totally unreasonable fear given past history of banning drugs the world over

My guess tho is Sunak knows come election time his party will lose, and he will never be PM again - in light of that I think he wants something to be remembered by - et voila this

Sunak doesn't smoke, drink and he fasts 1 day a week

Veho · Apr 17, 2024

x65943 said:
Sunak doesn't smoke, drink and he fasts 1 day a week

I guess they're lucky he isn't a breatharian :rolleyes:

titan_tim · Apr 17, 2024

As someone who hates everything about smoking, it's a move in the right direction. But it's DEFINITELY quite the government overreach.

x65943 said:
They are complaining that this will fuel a black market and actually increase smoking rates, not totally unreasonable fear given past history of banning drugs the world over

But it's a ban for people born after 2009. So they're not gone completely, just stopping sales to younger people. So letting the habit die with the older population and hopefully helps the newer generation not get addicted in the first place.

x65943 · Apr 17, 2024

titan_tim said:
As someone who hates everything about smoking, it's a move in the right direction. But it's DEFINITELY quite the government overreach.

But it's a ban for people born after 2009. So they're not gone completely, just stopping sales to younger people. So letting the habit die with the older population and hopefully helps the newer generation not get addicted in the first place.

UK has high immigration from countries in Asia and elsewhere with high smoking rates

These people will not simply stop smoking, and so a black market will exist to provide cigarettes for these people (yes eventually many of whom will be born after 2009). It's not hard to imagine such a market will also cater to UK born teens who are also curious to pick up the habit (as currently happens purchasing tobacco from legal shops)

Axido · Apr 17, 2024

Usually I'd say this is very bad, since as with every drug, you could regulate a market (people will get their hands on the stuff eventually) and ensure that the products are as safe as it gets, but how do you make a product any safe if it blasts freaking tar into your lungs while you burn it?

ItsMetaKnight · Apr 17, 2024

Please just finally ban it altogether worldwide. It costs more than it gains in tax money. I just hate smokers and their rudeness around non-smokers so much, especially when you're allergic and they just get physically aggressive when you ask them to move a few steps...

Jayro · Apr 17, 2024

Please ban cigarettes in the USA, that shit is so nasty... And they cause so much litter.

Scarlet · Apr 17, 2024

To be honest, it really doesn't seem like an awful way to approach the problem. Raising the legal age every year means that people that are currently addicted aren't suddenly forced to go cold turkey, and makes it far less accessible for younger people to get into it. It's not going to make smoking go away overnight, but by design it's not meant to.

I dunno, it feels weird to support such a dick of a PM but I do think this one's positive.

titan_tim · Apr 17, 2024

x65943 said:
UK has high immigration from countries in Asia and elsewhere with high smoking rates

These people will not simply stop smoking, and so a black market will exist to provide cigarettes for these people (yes eventually many of whom will be born after 2009). It's not hard to imagine such a market will also cater to UK born teens who are also curious to pick up the habit (as currently happens purchasing tobacco from legal shops)

You're not going to stop them all at the start, but over time it'll hopefully fall out of favor with the majority of people. Smoking has come down a LOT over the last multiple decades, to the point where you can't smoke in public buildings in many countries. It doesn't need to be outlawed, just made to be uncool. Sort of like chewing tabaco.

AncientBoi · Apr 17, 2024

[walks in with a lit cigarette in my mouth]

Hey guys, what's up?

KingVamp · Apr 17, 2024

As someone who doesn't smoke and don't even want to be around smoke, I'm not sure about this. I think raising the set age above 18 is fine, but an outright ban seems too much like the war on drugs.

RedColoredStars · Apr 17, 2024

I'm on board with the world wide ban group. One of the most absolutely disgusting habits a person can have and one of the most addicting drugs in the world. Almost all of my friends smoke and going into their homes is one of the most rotten and nastiest smells. I'd rather smell a cats litterbox than that cigarette shit. At least when I went home my clothes wouldnt reek of cat box so bad that I'd have to put them in plastic bags until I wash them, so they don't stink up MY entire home. Which is what cigs do. Literally have to put my clothes in bags after visiting friends who smoke. Fucking gross. Even my hair needs to be washed after a visit or my pillow will reek of cigs if I go to bed without washing it.

Fuck cigarettes.

The Real Jdbye · Apr 17, 2024

I've always been for this since e-cigarettes were introduced, I think it should be banned worldwide.
It's obviously not going to stop everyone, but there is hardly a more harmful substance in the world and if it can reduce the number of people who start smoking at all, it's worth it. We have a good alternative now with vaping, which is much less harmless, so tobacco smoking doesn't need to be a thing anymore.

RedColoredStars · Apr 17, 2024

The Real Jdbye said:
I've always been for this since e-cigarettes were introduced, I think it should be banned worldwide.
It's obviously not going to stop everyone, but there is hardly a more harmful substance in the world and if it can reduce the number of people who start smoking at all, it's worth it. We have a good alternative now with vaping, which is much less harmless, so tobacco smoking doesn't need to be a thing anymore.

Exactly. if people want nicotine let them use a patch, or gum, or other tobaccoless products. I'd much rather smell cotton candy vape than disgusting cigarettes. Seriously. Smokers don't relize how absolutely terrible they and other smokers smell. I guess they enjoy smelling like shit.

Maximumbeans · Apr 17, 2024

Veho said:
I guess they're lucky he isn't a breatharian

He also LOVES MAFFS

Viri · Apr 17, 2024

Jayro said:
Please ban cigarettes in the USA, that shit is so nasty... And they cause so much litter.

Cool, so we'll have drug dealers selling cigarettes instead of weed.

Jayro · Apr 17, 2024

Viri said:
Cool, so we'll have drug dealers selling cigarettes instead of weed.

Well weed is legal now, so that's a non issue.

Viri · Apr 17, 2024

Jayro said:
Well weed is legal now, so that's a non issue.

Yes, and the people who smuggle shit in from Mexico, Canada, and other countries will just smuggle in cigarettes. The "war on drugs" will just include cigarettes.

Smoking Ban Bill (UK) Passes First Hurdle

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