Why does the UK Government spend so much money on anti-smoking campaigns?

Question

Why does the UK Government spend so much money on anti-smoking campaigns?
They spend millions/billions with smoking bans and images and text on cigarette packets and on NHS stop smoking adverts.

Why not just ban the sale of tobacco products?

Answer 1

i agree ban smoking, but the reason they spend so much money on it is becuase the NHS is already streatched to its limit and with smoking causing so many health problems they are trying to reduce them.

You can see the uproar of just banning smoking in public places immagine what would happen if they got rid of it all together.

I would like to see it happen but at the same time I agree with the free will of people to do even stupid stuff as long as it is to themselves.

I support the public smoking ban becuase I choose not to smoke and shouldnt be forced to when I want a pub meal or a pint.

Answer 2

Makes sense to me. They will spend less on anti-smoking campaigns then they will on the health care of smokers. An outright ban won't work, people will still smoke. Only then the money will go to organized crime rather the the government.

If you think you have it bad, here in America we have the same anti-smoking campaign. Paid for by the government who also subsidizes the farmers to continue to grow the tobacco. If you think about that for too long, your brain will explode.

Answer 3

Tobacco can not be banned, because the tobacco industry is too powerful. However, the non smoker, who used to to accept the smokers as "fate" has risen as a powerful political force. The money revenue from tobacco is necessary for the government; however, the voting power of all those, who are fed up with the stench of cigarettes, the pollution (cigarett buds, etc.) the health hazards, and so on are finally being taken into consideration. It could cost the government a lot of votes.- See the dilemma the government is in?

Answer 4

Banning drugs just gives money to gangsters. Look how effective it's been for those purposes with alcohol during the American Prohibition period, and with other drugs around the world now.

They could cut back on those adverts, though. Everybody knows cigarettes are bad for you, and they smoke them anyways. The best solution for cutting smoking is to work on developing better treatment than just the nicotine gum.

Answer 5

Any place that spends so much trying to 'ban' smoking probably gets their advertising money off the tobacco TAX!! what a bunch of hypocrites.

Answer 6

Smoking needs to be phased out. An outright ban will create a black market - remember, people are addicted! Think about the crime created by the USA liquor laws of the 1920s.

Answer 7

They probably can't ban it, If they have a good medical care system like we do in Canada it only makes sense. Tobacco kills and it drains the money from the medical biggy bank. Billions of dollars are spent on tobacco related illnesses.hope this helps
God bless.

Answer 8

ban something that brings them massive amount of revenue-mmm i dont think so-and most of the advertising if u look doesnt just say stop smoking it usuall says stop smoking with.... stuff like nicotine replacement products ahem which in itself again brings the government a massive amount of revenue

Answer 9

Because their stupid and like to spend our money on crap

Answer 10

Why dont they leave the poor smokers alone..........and the motorists.