Hi folks
The article is a news report from Reuters (+), describing the new rules and regulations that smokers in Britain may face. The government launched these plans to reduce the percentage of the population who smoke. Removing branding from cigarette packets and banning cigarette vending machine are among them.
Three questions are asked at the end:
Q1. Do you think smoking should be banned?
Article doesn't say that the smoking should be banned, because the smokers have the right to choose their own way of life. I agree with the idea. The point is how to reduce the number of smokers with regulations the are not so much illiberal, like increasing the expenses or encouraging people to stop.
Q2. How can we encourage people to stop smoking?
With taking measures like banning vending machines, improving NHS Stop Smoking Services, tackling tobacco smuggling and maintaining awareness campaigns, as article has said.
Q3. Should smokers pay more for health care?
The question is not answered directly in the text, but in my opinion the answer is "no". Or you should do as the same for all the other activities that increase the chance of being harmed or becoming unhealthy. Think of eating fast food, just for an example!
Feel free to leave comments!
Sadra
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Hi Sadra - Let me suggest the Canadian way of discouraging smoking:
ReplyDeleteMake smoking illegal in most buildings. Smokers go and stand outside. Then wait for winter to come!.... Haha.
Kev
Hi Kevin
ReplyDeleteBut a true lover should -and by the force and luck of love, hopefully could- always find a way to stay with his beloved, even in the cold days of hard and harsh winters! :)
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But, to be -just a little bit- more serious, as can be seen here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/3758707.stm#iran
both my country and yours have used banning cigarette smoking in enclosed places. But, while it seems that the measure has been worked in your country, it doesn't seem that it had been a good plan to reduce it in my country!
So, may be we can ignore the other factors like psychological and socio-politico-economical differences of the different situations, as well as the above mentioned Love factor!, and think of the weather as the main cause of this difference in these two situations! :)
Sadra