Holyrood: the net tightens on tobacco
Friday, January 29, 2010 
Fun and games in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday night when Labour MSP Dr Richard Simpson (a member of the BMA) proposed an amendment to the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services Bill that would have prohibited tobacco branding on lighters and other items.
Simpson's amendment was defeated, but only just. The vote was tied and as is tradition in the Scottish Parliament the Presiding Officer sided with the status quo. (Contrast this with what happened in Alderney recently - see HERE.)
Incredibly there was also an attempt to ban the "No ID No Sale" posters that you see in many shops because - get this - they mention the word "tobacco" alongside "alcohol", "solvents" and "knives". It failed but how soon before the word "tobacco" is banned from public display?
Meanwhile the display ban passed by 103 votes to 14, with only the Conservatives voting against.
An attempt by Labour MSP Rhoda Grant - supported by the Conservatives - to allow radio-controlled vending machines was defeated.
The new law banning tobacco display and vending machines will be implemented in Scotland next year.
Reader Comments (11)
I suggest every smoker in Britain has a tee shirt made with a very large picture of their favourite cigarette packet printed on it and wears it proudly.
What do you suppose they will do about that? Ban tee shirts, ban clothes, arrest anyone wearing the tee shirt. Could be quite interesting.
Alderney.
The undemocratic use by the Chairman is scandalous. Regardless if the subject matter, the Chairman ought not to use his casing vote to change the status quo. The people of Alderney, along with the politicians and legislators should be protesting most vehemently about against this failure to comply with democratic custom.
Let the SNP tighten Simon. Let the devolution occur. It will saddly affect many Scots in the short term, but they are st5ong and hardy people who stick up for there principals.
Let the Scots as the world leaders in tobacco control ridicule themselves (not the Scottish people, the SNP government). Let the SNP relish in their short-lived era of totally ignoring the needs of their people and lust for political gain and funding.
I don't know whether 'Broken Britain' is mentioned in the highlands, but I certainly know that society has broken dwon here since 1.7.2007.
Little People + Big Ideas = ?
The SNP world leaders in tobbacco control.
World leaders in um, well, er, um ,I cannot think of anything else ?
Oh yes ! ,
MISERY.
Once again I ask (no, actually I plead and beg), someone tell me when this will all end?
I have been living with this increasing marginalization for 20 years and the pace seems to be accelerating.
I love my cigarettes, but I HATE being a pariah. Why are they doing this to us and how can we make them stop it? It's like the proverbial giant snowball rolling down the mountain.
"Why are they doing this to us........?"
Because, Ano - they CAN.
And WE let them.
Wilson-Callaghan-Thatcher: almost seems like a Golden Age now................
it was the anti ban smokers who got rid of the labour party in the last holyrood election.
now that the snp are hammering the smoker and drinker with great gusto they to will be punished by the large majority of people who are sick of the social engineeering forced on them by our well subsidised masters and about time too
"I suggest every smoker in Britain has a tee shirt made with a very large picture of their favourite cigarette packet printed on it and wears it proudly."
They will just insert a new clause in the bill(s) to include a prominent health warning on your tee-shirt and insist you dont smell of smoke, as THIRD HAND SMOKE KILLS.
I'm trying to be funny but its actually on the way, I guarantee, why not write to your MSP or ASH or BMA or any of that mob pretending to be appalled at the risk you run from 3rd hand smoke residue and ask what they plan to do about it?
Not really that funny I suppose, but I could draft the replies myself.
Joseph K -
Take heart.
At least YOU - unlike your namesake - KNOW why you're being persecuted.................
And don't I know it!