Ministers are to urge 1 million smokers to swap cigarettes for vapes, despite increasing alarm about the rise in young people vaping.
Under the new “swap to stop” scheme, vape starter kits will be offered to almost one in five of all smokers in England as part of the government’s “smoke free” drive.
Pregnant women will also be offered up to £400 to stop smoking and a consultation will be launched on introducing mandatory advice on quitting smoking to be placed in cigarette packs.
The scheme comes on top of plans to crack down on the illegal sale of e-cigarettes to under-18s. A survey by Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) found that vaping among 11- to 17-year-olds has increased from 3.3% in 2021 to 7% last year. » | Matthew Weaver | Tuesday, April 11, 2023
This is a ridiculous and irresponsible idea! The long-term consequences of vaping are not yet known; and they will not be known for very many years to come, either.
The war on smoking is unrelenting. You will surely have noticed that the war is on cigarette-smoking. Cigar-smoking is never mentioned. That’s because so many politicians/parliamentarians love love to smoke cigars. So they won’t want to wage war on cigar-smoking. It’s too close to home! The hypocrites!
“Javed Khan said smoking should be banned in outdoor spaces such as beer gardens, outside cafes and on beaches.”
Have you ever heard anything more ridiculous?
Now, they are going after tobacco-smokers. But wait just a little longer! You can bet your bottom dollar that when that when the war on cigarette-smoking has been won, they will go after drinkers of alcohol. We all know that the drinking of alcohol is anathema to Islam.
Martin Niemöller’s words are pertinent and were prophetic:
“First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me
I so wish that stupid politicians would stop targeting smokers. We expect this sort of nonsense from left-wingers, but not from conservative governments. Left-wing governments are given to regulation of people’s behaviour; right-wingers are supposed to prize individual free choice.
On a personal note, I am pleased to be able to report that on April 10th, just yesterday, it was the first anniversary of my giving up smoking. I smoked my last three cigarettes on April 10th 2022. I have not smoked a cigarette since. I am pleased to be able to say, with confidence, that I have kicked the habit.
Please note, though, that my achievement has not turned me into a rabid anti-smoker. Even though I no longer smoke, I am happy for other people to enjoy a cigarette. I remember the pleasure I had from cigarettes; so I have no intention to depriving others that pleasure. I am not a killjoy.
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