Legislation intended to ban today’s British children from ever legally being able to smoke has begun its journey through Parliament.

Summary

The UK has introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, aiming to make it illegal for future generations to buy cigarettes. The bill proposes gradually raising the minimum smoking age, so those born after January 1, 2009, will never be able to purchase tobacco legally.

It also includes restrictions on vape flavors and packaging to prevent youth addiction and bans smoking in certain outdoor spaces, though pub beer gardens are exempt.

Supported by the Labour Party’s majority, the legislation seeks to create a “smoke-free U.K.” and combat smoking-related deaths.

  • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldMEnglish
    16·
    13 hours ago

    That sure sounds like a ban on recreational use to me.

    You said nothing about recreational use. But something that overloads the healthcare system and costs a ton of money should not be allowed freely for recreational use.

    https://www.england.nhs.uk/2023/12/hospital-admissions-due-to-smoking-up-nearly-5-per-cent-last-year-nhs-data-shows/

    https://ash.org.uk/media-centre/news/press-releases/smoking-costs-society-17bn-5bn-more-than-previously-estimated

    What happens when someone without a prescription is caught with tobacco under this system you’re proposing?

    A fine. Like many things that people do that are illegal. Are you under the bizarre impression that the only possible thing you can do to someone who commits a crime is imprison them?

    What makes this preferable to just letting people smoke?

    It helps them quit. Which is good. See above, re overloading the healthcare system and costing a ton of money.

    • Todd Bonzalez@lemm.eeEnglish
      2·
      9 hours ago

      Are you under the bizarre impression that the only possible thing you can do to someone who commits a crime is imprison them?

      I didn’t say anything about imprisoning people. Any legal consequence for possession of a plant is too far.

      It helps them quit.

      It leverages a nanny state that forces people to quit whether they want to or not.

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.worldMEnglish
        22·
        6 hours ago

        When British taxpayers are the ones paying for the smokers’ illnesses, whether or not they personally want to quit is not the issue. You do know how socialized medicine works, yes? British nonsmokers should not have to foot the bill when they get emphysema or lung cancer.

        I don’t know why you think they should.

        • Todd Bonzalez@lemm.eeEnglish
          1·
          21 minutes ago

          Universal healthcare doesn’t give you license to police everyone else’s lifestyle to your preferred level of health-consciousness.

    • minibyte@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      82·
      13 hours ago

      Are you under the bizarre impression that the only possible thing you can do to someone who commits a crime is imprison them?

      You’re replying to an American. So, yes.