Scotland: Forest slams tobacco display ban

Busy, busy day. This morning the Scottish government announced plans to ban cigarette vending machines and tobacco displays in shops. Responding to the publication of the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Bill, Forest's Scottish spokesman Neil Rafferty (left), said:

"This is yet another bullying tactic from a government that can't stop interfering in people's lives. Banning the display of tobacco has nothing to do with protecting children. It's designed to denormalise adult smokers until they quit smoking. The ban won't work. Adult smokers will simply ask for their usual brand while the illicit nature of under the counter sales could even encourage young people to start smoking.

"The Scottish Government should follow the example of New Zealand where the government this week decided not to go ahead with a tobacco display ban. Prime minister John Key cited the lack of evidence that a tobacco display ban reduces youth smoking as the main reason for reversing proposals for the ban. He also said that the negative effect on small businesses was a large factor in his decision."

Full story HERE.

Contrary to my post on Wednesday, the Bill does, after all, include an exemption for specialist tobacconists. Good news for Alan Myerthall but bad news for small retailers in general.

Comments

[Colin Grainger]

Well, if we are quoting New Zealand, we might as well highlight the fact that their Health Department got their numbers badly wrong:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4861561a20475.html

[Belinda]

Greens trying to get NZ government to change its mind

http://www.nznewsuk.co.uk/lifestyle/?ID=14937

[John Holmes]

They will ban chocolate vending machines on railway stations next. Mark my words.

[Norman]

I sometimes wonder whether the zealots are unconsciously wishing dis-ease on to people through their warnings. Placebos have been shown to work for good. What about the opposite process? There's even a word for it, I discovered today: 'nocebo'.

[Bill Gibson]

This has nothing to do with Youth Smoking or Health but has everything to do with the Control of the People.. Check out Global Governance.

http://sovereignty.net/

and

http://www.globalgovernancewatch.org/recent_developments/from-nanny-state-to-nanny-un-who-strategy-paves-way-for-global-governance-of-national-health-policies