Posted on 11/22/2006 11:47:02 PM PST by MadIvan
* Ministers back rise in legal age for tobacco purchase from 16 to 18 * Recommendations come from report commissioned by the Executive * Author also warns that strict regulation and heavy fines are also required
Key quote
"We have a product that we know is addictive and pretty poisonous, but the laws around it are based on when we thought it was harmless." - DR LAWRENCE GRUER
Story in full SCOTLAND is to introduce some of the toughest anti-smoking laws in the world, after ministers backed raising the legal age of buying cigarettes from 16 to 18.
The move follows a report commissioned by the Executive that also recommends a ban on displaying cigarettes in shops, urging parents not to smoke in front of children and research into outlawing packs of ten.
Most of the recommendations are still under consideration, but the Executive decided to act immediately on the age limit. Doctors welcomed the move, but there was concern about how police will stop underage people buying cigarettes and accusations that Scotland is turning into a "puritanical state" where adults are not free to make choices.
Just seven months ago, smoking was banned in enclosed public places, and the new measures represent a further step in Jack McConnell's crusade against ill-health.
Ministers have powers to raise the age limit in the legislation to ban smoking in public places, but consultation will have to take place and regulations drawn up.
A spokesman said: "The Executive will begin the preparatory steps for implementing this recommendation, which will be subject to consultation, especially with young people's organisations, including the Scottish Youth Parliament." It was not clear whether this could be done ahead of May's Holyrood elections.
Dr Laurence Gruer, author of the report, welcomed the decision to raise the age limit. He said: "We have a product that we know is addictive and pretty poisonous, but the laws around it are based on when we thought it was harmless."
But he warned that regulations must be put in place to back up the law, including the use of proof of age, test-purchasing to catch retailers out and heavy fines.
In his report, Dr Gruer, director of public health science at NHS Health Scotland, said the Executive could go even further. One of the strictest proposed measures is to ban the display of cigarettes, replacing them with a list of brands and prices - a move that will go further than almost any other country in the world.
Dr Gruer also urged the Executive to ask Westminster to increase the price of cigarettes above inflation and to crack down on tobacco smuggling.
Maureen Moore, chief executive of ASH Scotland, pointed out that at 13 about 5 per cent of boys and 7 per cent of girls smoke, rising to a quarter of girls and 15 per cent of boys at 15.
"It is vital action is taken to help young people say no to an addiction that will kill one in two long-term smokers," she said.
Dr Andrew Buist, deputy chairman of the BMA's Scottish general practitioners' committee, urged the Executive to take on all the recommendations.
However, Neil Rafferty, of the lobby group Forest, said Scotland now had some of the strictest anti-smoking laws in the world except for Bhutan - where tobacco is illegal - and certain American states.
He said: "Scotland is one of the most puritanical societies in the western world. The government is determined to take away people's freedom of choice."
But Chris Ogden, director of the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association, said: "We do not have an issue with it.
"Children should not smoke, and we will do everything we can to help retailers refuse sales."
Key recommendations
• Set targets to cut percentage of boys and girls smoking between the age of 13 and 15.
• Set targets to cut percentage of boys and girls smoking between 16 and 24.
• Ensure greater efforts are made to enforce the prevailing legal age of purchase, including heavy fines for any shops that sell to children.
• Introduce a scheme so that vendors who repeatedly sell cigarettes to under-age customers can be prohibited from selling tobacco products.
• Raise the legal age for buying cigarettes to 18.
• Urge the UK government annually to increase the price of tobacco products at a rate faster than inflation.
• Ask the UK government to reconsider the sale of packs of ten cigarettes, because more young people buy the cheaper packs.
• Ensure Customs and Excise and the police in Scotland put a high priority on activities aimed at reducing tobacco smuggling.
• Urge the UK government to maintain and, if necessary, increase the investment in staff and equipment needed to control tobacco smuggling.
• Urge the UK government to review the current limits on importing cigarettes from other EU countries for personal use and the effectiveness of the controls in place.
• Urge the UK government to work with the EC to stop tobacco smuggling.
• Reinforce the UK government's intention to require graphic photographs of smoking-related diseases to be displayed on cigarette packets.
• Together with the UK government and other devolved administrations, look at ways to reduce positive images of smoking in the media.
• Prohibit the display of cigarettes at the point of sale, to be replaced by a simple list of the brands and their prices.
• A media campaign should be designed and implemented to discourage smoking by young people of any age.
• Improve education on tobacco, alcohol and other drugs in Scottish schools.
• Involve parents more in teaching about the dangers of tobacco.
• Parents should be encouraged by midwives, health visitors, GPs and hospital doctors, nursery staff and teachers not to smoke when children are present.
• Make all schools smoke-free zones.
• All schools should help children who smoke.
Here's a flash--
We are, I am, the government.
'Now I'm hungry. I'm gonna run right out to an 'English Restaurant'.
oh wait ..... there aren't any.'
Where do you live, on the moon?
According to restaurant.com there are 595 restaurants in the US that list themselves as serving English/British cuisine. I guess you don't get out much. . . .
'The freedom to let a private property owner determine which legal products will be allowed on his or her private property. But yeah, you're right. Much better to tattle to government and let them dictate a solution to every problem and nonproblem.'
You are allowed to determine which legal products are available in a private property, but when you open the doors and make it public, you are covered by public legislation. I suppose you think 'private property' restaurants should be able to choose their own levels of food hygiene as well, without pesky government inspections?Alcohol is legal, so why not let McDonalds sell it at their drive-through windows?
Almost. SW suburb of Chicago. Seriously, I have never seen an 'English Restaurant' in all my 58 years in the Chi metro area. There's French, German, Polish, Lithuanian, Chinese, Italian, Mexican (natch) Paki, Japanese and Thai - Never 'English'.
There used to be "English Pubs" but that was Beer-Booze and back in the '70's
6 billion folks in the world and only tiny Bhutan, a country of 2 million, have bucked the addiction and banned tobacco. BTW, I understand the Free Republic overseas get together in 2007 will be held in Bhutan, per my request.
Up here in the high country, we don't have any English retaurants either - maybe someone could kill an Englishman and roast him, probably taste better than their cooking anyway. ;)
No.....you knew Jesus, I mean actually met him. I am impressed.
I was sceptical about the smoking ban before it was put into force. I have to say though, it's nice to go in the pub and breathe clean air and go home without your clothes smelling like smoke.
Another bonus- There's always a big group of people outside the pub having a fag. It's a great way to meet women.
Oh my god! Good one!
Surprise, your ticket is one-way.
I'd be curious about what Jack McConnel (sp?) is going to do about fat people? Where does this stop?
No, I'm not kidding - that's a Glaswegian dish.
Regards, Ivan
Cool! I'll drink to that!
So you go home staggering drunk. Why is that better than a sober person who smells like smoke?
I think that someone some where deep fries Oreo cookies. I'm not sure why you have to change the best cookie on the face of the earth however!
Regards, Ivan
I have to admit that deep fried turkey is pretty good. I'm glad there are people around me that like to go to the effort. Warm deep fried turkey is the best!
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