I have to say, right up front, that I smoke and have for over 50 years. No lectures, please.
MPs have backed plans to make it illegal for 15 year old, or under, children to buy cigarettes. Big wow! I thought it already was.
Let’s move on.
The previous Government were moving legislation through to gradually increase the age people could legally buy tobacco products from 16. The current Government has decided to take up the ball and run with it.
Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, argued the Bill would reduce pressure on the NHS.
” Smokers are more likely to need NHS services, be admitted to hospital, drop out of the workforce and onto Welfare, and need Social care years earlier than if they didn’t smoke”
What a sweeping generalisation, totally without any kind of reports, studies or statistics.
Where the fuck is his proof that smokers are “more likely” to do any of the things he generalised about.
As I said, I’m a long term smoker.
I have never been admitted to hospital for a smoking related illness.
I have never dropped out of the workforce, unless taking early retirement counts.
I’ve never been on ‘welfare’
At 70, I still don’t need social care.
The legislation is also pushing through the issue of stopping teen vaping, which I think is ironic as vaping was heralded as the new way to stop smoking, not that long ago.
All this throws up loads of questions about what happens if everyone stops using tobacco, not the least where the replacement revenue, levied by the Government, will come from?
Vapes, oh silly me, there’s a crack down on them, too.
What about the cotton producers and workers? Will they be ‘welcome here”, as we have taken away their livelihood?
Anyway, I’m off for a fag ( outdoors, in the Tikki Hut)
bbcnews
Nominated by Jeezum Priest.