Sir Keir has said the Government will 'take decisions' on a potential outdoor smoking ban in an effort to curb preventable deaths and alleviate pressures on the NHS.
I know that this video is a little old now, but the problem of UK smoking bans has not gone away.
Regular visitors to this website will know that I am NO FAN of Nigel Farage; in fact, he is my bête noire, mainly because of his anti-EU stance and his dragging of this country out of the European Union, thus causing the nation to be impoverished and UK citizens to be robbed of many rights. So, seeing me post something positive about him will come as a bit of a surprise to many, I feel sure. However, I like to be fair to all, and on the smoking ban, Nigel Farage is absolutely correct. Even though I am no longer a smoker—I haven’t been a smoker for nearly four years, now—I am four square against any smoking bans. And for many important reasons. These are some important ones…
1. I loathe and despise bans of any kind: they go against my love of freedom and my devotion and commitment to libertarianism. The state should not interfere in my right to live my life as I see fit.
2. A generational smoking ban will be totally and utterly unworkable. Moreover, the police has its work cut out already, trying to police the important things—and they are failing to do that half the time—so let us not add more unworkable tasks to their day-to-day list of crimes and misdemeanours which they have to try and deal with.
3. By outlawing cigarette smoking to the young, you are making it more appealing. Anyone who has ever worked with young people should know that nothing is more appealing to the rebellious youth than something, some activity, which is forbidden. The Bible teaches us this from the story of Adam and Eve. If our politicians want to make smoking more desirable and enticing, then all they have to do is ban it!
4. By making cigarette smoking impossible, either through bans or prohibitive pricing, all you do is push our young people—and older people—to other unhealthy activities and pursuits. No politicians of any stripe are ever going to be able to create Utopia. So, what people will do is increasingly turn to drugs—cannabis, ketamine, fentanyl, cocaine, etc—for their kicks. For, be not mistaken… they will seek out their kicks.
Life is replete with risks and unhealthy activities. No politician can eliminate them, and nor should any politician even try to. Let people work hard and then play. This is the only way to ensure a well-functioning, happy and content society. — © Mark Alexander
