smoking ban?

Question

i live in scotland and the smoking ban was last year but if the government is that concerned with people smoking why don't they just stop selling it? i don't understand that basically you can't really smoke anywhere so why do they keep selling these ciggies?

Answer 1

There is no smoking ban. There is a WORKPLACE smoking ban. Smoking will be banned in pubs and other workplaces to protect those who work there from harmful chemicals.

Most people think that those at work have the right to a healthy and safe environment, so machines have guards, chemical exposure is controlled, smoking is banned.

You are free to smoke in your own house.

The government don't sell ciggies, privately owned shops do. The government (of whatever party) taxes them. That's fine by me - if tobacco duty raises £5 billion (guess!) each year, that's £5 billion less from my income tax and VAT.

I agree with what people are saying - tobacco duties are a nice earner for the taxpayer, and if people didn't smoke we'd have to raise that money by other means.

Smoking probably benefits the exchequer - the duty raised probably covers the NHS costs of treating smoking related diseases, and by dying young, smokers save us a fortune in pension payments.

Answer 2

Your right,Scotland should ban the sale of all tobacco products.
We have the same thing here in the USA.However, these governments are two faced about their laws. They don't want you to smoke but they won't shut down the tobacco industry because they need the taxes that are generated through the sale of their products. Tobacco is the most taxable product produced. In our state every time ciggies. go up in price it is said that the take is to help pay for health care for people who can't afford insurance. I think the state should have to answer to the people and show how this money is being used. Our governments have failed with the war on drugs so as a diversion they decided a war on tobacco would pacify the people. Go figure.

Answer 3

As a smoker, I was very cross to wake up this morning and hear that smoking in my car - which I do frequently - is now banned. No notice, no warning. My car is not a company car, I rarely have passengers (and if I do, I don't smoke) and I don't dispose of my cigarettes out of my window. I have been smoking longer than I have been driving, and I can easily find and light a cigarette without taking my eyes off the road - I find it more distracting trying to change the radio station. And in 15 years of smoking whilst driving, I have never once dropped a cigarette in my lap. After a bit of research, however, I discovered that smoking is not banned, as such - it is simply against advice. If you are driving dangerously, committing a driving offence or involved in an accident whilst smoking, then you are going to face a more serious penalty. However, smoking in your car is considered inadvisable rather than illegal and a contributary factor if you do something wrong. So, I shall still be happily lighting up whilst driving - it's about the only place I can smoke without pissing someone off nowadays.

Answer 4

I live in Fort Wayne, Indiana (USA) and that city's council just passed a smoking ban on June 1. You can't smoke within 8 feet of a public place; you can't smoke inside a bar or restaurant; you can't smoke in a store, or in your workplace - BUT, you CAN SMOKE in private or semi-private rooms at nursing homes (where many patients are dying of lung cancer and emphysema!!). Of course, you're right: if it's supposed to be about public health, then the easiest law to pass would ban cigarettes. But, politicians won't give up all that tax revenue! -RKO- 06/09/07

Answer 5

Because of the large amount of money raised from taxing them. If cigs were illegal, not able to collect taxes, and new taxes would have to be created or existing taxes raised to offset the lost revenues. Governments do not like losing revenues. Personally I think bans are ridiculous especially in bar and/or restaurant situations. It should be up to the individual bar or restaurant owners to decide for themselves, not imposed upon them by the government.

Answer 6

I believe the government will not cease selling tobacco products as it brings a LOT of revenue in, by way of taxes.

Answer 7

The real question is: Who's behind the band? The EU needs tax dollars from tobacco but they also need to slowly take control of small aspects of your life so that one day, you'll wake up to far larger problems than tobacco smoke!!

Answer 8

I smoke but always go outside, it is a lot better to eat, drink in a non-smoking environment

Answer 9

Because the government deal in double standards!

Answer 10

Because the make a fortune in tax on them.