Who says politicians have lost touch with reality?

AndyG · Post by **AndyG** » 23 Nov 2006, 12:03

Talk about an exercise in futility, after all who ever sees a 12 year old smoking these days!!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6175870.stm

AndyG

Post by **Garry Russell** » 23 Nov 2006, 12:14

In the estate I lived in nearly all the girls and about half the boys were smoking by the age of 11/12

You won't see them in public as such ...but in their homes and arround corners and popular hang out's they are puffing away.

By 14 theye are getting severly drunk several times a week as well.

Putting the age up won't do a thing

Garry

Nigel H-J · Post by **Nigel H-J** » 23 Nov 2006, 12:18

Doesn't matter what age you pass in law to stop young people buying cigarettes or even alcohol come to that, there are plenty other ways to obtain them!!!!

I started smoking when I was fourteen after first seeing an advertisment for Players No.6, a friend with me suggested that we get some then both of us walked straight into a tobacconist (we did not look sixteen either), and came out with a packet!! :tab: Laws will not stop them.

Now I have just given up after 40 years, NOT EASY!!!!! even with help, hell, how I admire those that achieve it without so much as blinking an eyelid.

VEGAS · Post by **VEGAS** » 23 Nov 2006, 12:30

I would say that youngsters smoking is the least of societies worries seeing as so many youngsters are willing to commit serious crime to enable them to get money and other items to sell for drugs etc..

I agree that increasing the age to purchase cigarettes will have very little (if any) effect.

cstorey · Post by **cstorey** » 23 Nov 2006, 18:23

Although it is tempting to regard smoking as a trivial problem, the fact is that it causes more, and more serious, ill health, ( largely in the shape of coronary disease with lung cancer closely behind) than any other single cause. Glasgow has a higher incidence of these diseases than anywhere else in the UK, so it is not surprising that Scotland is trying to discourage people

AndyG · Post by **AndyG** » 23 Nov 2006, 18:47

cstorey wrote:Although it is tempting to regard smoking as a trivial problem, the fact is that it causes more, and more serious, ill health, ( largely in the shape of coronary disease with lung cancer closely behind) than any other single cause. Glasgow has a higher incidence of these diseases than anywhere else in the UK, so it is not surprising that Scotland is trying to discourage people

Trust me, I don't consider smoking to be a "trivial problem", having lost a number of family members to its effects. I just feel that this particular approach is laughable, and a waste of time and money. Smoking should be tackled, but let's do it properly rather than with meaningless legislation like this!

AndyG

Jon Rose · Post by **Jon Rose** » 23 Nov 2006, 21:41

2 Points:

1: I thought The UK Age for Purchasing Tobacco (ie Cigs) was Alradey 18

2:I see People In my Year at School Smoking Bhind one of the Temporary Classrooms By the Sports Field. Only 14-15.

Post by **Garry Russell** » 23 Nov 2006, 21:50

No It's not eighteen

It is 18 in one of the Channel Islands

Garry

Jon Rose · Post by **Jon Rose** » 23 Nov 2006, 21:51

Oh.I just See 18 on the Sign In the Newsagents... Probably At Owner's Discretion but At Least 16.

thehappyotter · Post by **thehappyotter** » 25 Nov 2006, 01:40

I started when I was 13, have quit god knows how many times since and always start again...

I support a total ban. Would save me a fortune (and a painfull death...)