Now Scotland will have the toughest anti-smoking laws in the Western world

The Scotsman ^ | November 23, 2006 | LOUISE GRAY

[MadIvan]

Scotland's devolved government is run by Labour and Liberals. This is the result. I hope the Scots understand that it is, to use the American phrase, "BOHICA time".

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Ping!

[DB]

"Now Scotland will have the toughest anti-smoking laws in the Western world"

I guess the "Western world" is the world of the UK.

Smoking laws in the US are tougher and have been for some time - particularly California.

[Mac1]

"Smoking laws in the US are tougher and have been for some time"

really? Interesting what you learn on this site

[JerseyHighlander]

If the European Courts rule that individual countries can't raise tariffs on tobacco imports, http://travel.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,1946572,00.html , then outside of something similar to the parcel services refusing to ship firearms in the USA, but here refusing to ship tobacco within the EU, I don't see how this Scottish law is going to cause anything but financial hardship for the Scottish treasury and Scottish store owners who sell tobacco products.

You'd be amazed to see the numbers of well dressed commuters who sell Indian reservation cheap cigarettes at the bus and train stations in the NYC metro area. These people are easily making $2 a pack profit or more, and selling 20 to 40 packs in 15 minutes during their rush hour commutes. I see the same coming to Scotland if that court rules for tariff free trade of tobacco.

Low level and pervasive tobacco stamp tax rebellion.

[mysterio]

It's really amazing to me how much people hate freedom.

[Fierce Allegiance]

Next they'll come for your haggis, then the cabers, then the kilts, and lastly that which lies beneath the kilt.

[MadIvan]

It's very likely the door is going to open on mail-order booze and tobacco - in which case, the Mrs and I are buying champagne by the crate. :)

I don't smoke - however, it's none of my business if others want to do so.

Regards, Ivan

[MadMitch]

I'm ahead of them I've buried a stash of cabers.

[DB]

You have to be 18 to purchase tobacco here. It's been that way for a long time. In California you can't smoke in any building open to the public. Not in a bar, restaurant, work etc.

[SheLion]

Can't be any worse then what is happening here in America!

[Diapason]

Same in South Africa - the legal age was 16, but a couple of years ago it was put back up to 18. Also no smoking in public enclosed places, workplaces, etc. Restaurants that allow smoking have to have separate enclosed smoking areas with their own ventilation systems. Also on the cards is the issue of preventing smokers from indulging their habit just outside the entrances to buildings where those wishing to enter have to walk through clouds of smoke, or where smoke can bother someone whose office window is open.

[lawdude]

"Smoking laws in the US are tougher and have been for some time - particularly California."

Same for Arizona, especially Phoenix area. No Smoking in ANY building, including bars and bowling alleys. Glad I quit 11 years ago.

[JedForbes]

I visited Ireland a while ago and it's the same there. Very much the same as AZ, except in Arizona if you stand outside for a smoke it's nice and varm, in Ireland in winter you'll freeze your %$%&* off!!!

[wodinoneeye]

And yet Hagis is still legal ?????

[Boris99]

"Scotland's devolved government is run by Labour and Liberals."

This reminds me of the liberals that I know that carp about the Patriot Act "takin' away my freedom!!!" When I ask them exactly what freedom has been taken from them, I am met with an open mouth doe eyed stare. These same people go out and vote for the dems who consistently, ban, regulate, outlaw, and tax so many aspects of our lives. It seems leftists around the world can't figure this out.

[Waco]

Sub. "internet'" for "tobacco" and see the future. Eh, Scotty?

[AngloSaxonChristian]

'And yet Hagis is still legal ?????'

Yeah, but they're really hard to light. . . .

[AngloSaxonChristian]

'It's really amazing to me how much people hate freedom.'

Which freedom do you mean - the smokers freedom from non-smokers or the non-smokers freedom from smoke?

[AngloSaxonChristian]

'I don't smoke - however, it's none of my business if others want to do so.'

I agree, so long as I don't have to smell their smoke, have my clothes smell of it or have it waft across my table just as my lobster arrives. Apart from that, they can do as they like! :)