Home› Politics & Debate
If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.
Options

No Tobacco for u-18s

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
in Politics & Debate
Surprised that no-one has posted about this story given the other thread... but the age at which you can purchse tobacco in the UK is going up to 18 in October.

Click here for more information

1. Does anyone know why this didn't have to be voted on by MPs?
2. Anyone surprised with the timing of the announcement?

NB Reminder - Smoking is now banned on NHS property - effective 1st Jan.
«1

Comments

  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I posted this ages ago but no one listened. As asda put thiers up in september i think it was.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Great i get ID'd enough as it is.

    Ah well, there will always be a shop that'll sell them to kids.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Man Of Kent wrote:
    Surprised that no-one has posted about this story given the other thread... but the age at which you can purchse tobacco in the UK is going up to 18 in October.

    Click here for more information

    1. Does anyone know why this didn't have to be voted on by MPs?
    2. Anyone surprised with the timing of the announcement?

    NB Reminder - Smoking is now banned on NHS property - effective 1st Jan.
    About time, maybe a little too late, but atleast its coming.
  • Options
    Indrid ColdIndrid Cold Posts: 16,688 Skive's The Limit
    I don't really see that helping... the stupid kids will just think it's even more "cool" to do it.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Man Of Kent wrote:
    1. Does anyone know why this didn't have to be voted on by MPs?

    I'd be interested to know why it's not been put to vote. (If it was put to vote it would pass easily, I can't imagine many MPs voting against raising the age to 18).

    I don't really object. Bringing it into line with alcohol makes sense. And October is a while away so 16 and 17 year old smokers have plenty of notice to stock up.

    Although, it might not make a huge amount of difference - taxes on cigarettes are so high in comparison to other countries that the amount of cigarettes smuggled in is increasing. (And er age restrictions aren't really applied by people selling cheap cigarettes).

    But increasing the age and making cigarettes harder to get for children could increase their appeal; making smoking seem more 'grown-up' and desirable for those wanting to look older.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    well it won't really change anything apart from criminalising another section of the population, the way this govt is carrying on i guess we're just lucky they haven't got enough cells for all of us....

    http://www.channel4.com/news/special-reports/special-reports-storypage.jsp?id=3325
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    i don't really see what they're trying to achieve :confused:
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Ballerina wrote:
    i don't really see what they're trying to achieve :confused:
    Stopping school kids purchasing cigarettes. I doubt it will cut it back alot, but heres trying.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    HIT wrote:
    Stopping school kids purchasing cigarettes. I doubt it will cut it back alot, but heres trying.
    since when did the legal age to buy ciggies ever stop them? They just get older friends/brothers/sisters/parents to get it for them. I've known people at school smoke since they were 11 and that's how they got them most of the time, they rarely get it themselves.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Ballerina wrote:
    since when did the legal age to buy ciggies ever stop them? They just get older friends/brothers/sisters/parents to get it for them. I've known people at school smoke since they were 11 and that's how they got them most of the time, they rarely get it themselves.

    :yes: And I've had someone ask me to get some of them as well.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Ballerina wrote:
    since when did the legal age to buy ciggies ever stop them? They just get older friends/brothers/sisters/parents to get it for them. I've known people at school smoke since they were 11 and that's how they got them most of the time, they rarely get it themselves.
    There will be a few thousand people not buying cigarettes anymore, as a 14 year old cant ask a 16 year old no more to buy fags. I'm assuming there are a few thousand 16-17 year olds around.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    HIT wrote:
    There will be a few thousand people not buying cigarettes anymore, as a 14 year old cant ask a 16 year old no more to buy fags. I'm assuming there are a few thousand 16-17 year olds around.
    i still don't see what difference it will make though
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    If a 17 year old asked me to get them some I would do it as long as I can take one. I've done it with alcohol too with some of the local lads.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Ballerina wrote:
    i don't really see what they're trying to achieve :confused:

    It's a proven fact that older you get, the less likely you are to start smoking. This is an attempt to help that process along a bit. Interestingly the key age is 21, the liklihood of starting smoking after this age is very low.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Man Of Kent wrote:
    It's a proven fact that older you get, the less likely you are to start smoking. This is an attempt to help that process along a bit. Interestingly the key age is 21, the liklihood of starting smoking after this age is very low.
    Ah i see, i still don't think upping the age will make much difference though as it appears most kids start smoking before the legal age anyway.

    Seems a bit strange that i've been able to buy ciggies for a year, but won't be able to in october, and will be able to again 2 months later.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Ballerina wrote:
    Ah i see, i still don't think upping the age will make much difference though as it appears most kids start smoking before the legal age anyway.

    It will make a difference because it will just be harder to obtain them. Not a huge difference I know, but then it doesn't have to.
    Seems a bit strange that i've been able to buy ciggies for a year, but won't be able to in october, and will be able to again 2 months later.

    Always going to happen for some people when a line is drawn like this. You can't lawfully have sex when you are 15 years and 364 days old. But you can the following day...
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Also 18 year olds are much more likely to be able to prove their age than 16 year olds so that's good.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Hopefully 18 year olds will realise more what a filthy, stupid habit it is and not start. If it stops just a few from starting it's a good idea.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    RubberSkin wrote:
    Hopefully 18 year olds will realise more what a filthy, stupid habit it is and not start.

    :rolleyes:

    So people who do it are filthy and stupid?

    Less of the name-calling please.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Thunderstruck wrote:
    :rolleyes:

    So people who do it are filthy and stupid?

    Less of the name-calling please.
    I think there is a difference between calling an action that someone does stupid and the person who does it stupid.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I think even if it doesn't do anything positive, it's at least bringing it in line with alcohol laws. It's never seemed right to me that someone who's parents are still effectively responsible for them (in most cases) can legally choose to start a habit that could kill them. The other one is being allowed to have sex at 16, but only being allowed to watch it at 18. I think that one needs to be sorted out as well. Again, not like anyone can't get porn if they want, but at least it means the laws are actually consistent. And as MOK says, the older someone is, the less likely they are to start smoking in the first place.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Thunderstruck wrote:
    :rolleyes:

    So people who do it are filthy and stupid?

    Less of the name-calling please.

    I smoke, it's a stupid and filthy habit.

    It's stupid - you risk your helath, you waste lots of money.

    It's filthy - you stink and so does your house.

    End of.

    I wish i could give up, i've tried several times and can't

    so stick ya :rolleyes: up ya arse
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    RubberSkin wrote:
    so stick ya :rolleyes: up ya arse

    They have endoscopes for that kind of thing :thumb:
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    RubberSkin wrote:
    so stick ya :rolleyes: up ya arse

    But we all know you would prefer it up your arse! :p
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Yerascrote wrote:
    But we all know you would prefer it up your arse! :p

    Well as a matter of fact yes, now send me a pic of ya salami and meatballs :D

    ETA No, im old enough to be ya dad :)
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    RubberSkin wrote:
    Well as a matter of fact yes, now send me a pic of ya salami and meatballs :D

    ETA No, im old enough to be ya dad :)

    :eek:
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Thunderstruck wrote:
    :rolleyes:

    So people who do it are filthy and stupid?

    Less of the name-calling please.

    I'd say it was pretty apt TBH. I smoke, it smells and it will probably kill me... tupid and filthy...
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Yerascrote wrote:
    :eek:

    *giggles*
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Man Of Kent wrote:
    NB Reminder - Smoking is now banned on NHS property - effective 1st Jan.
    Does this apply to Mental Health wards with patients being kept on sections? That would seem very harsh indeed.
  • Options
    Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I didn't think it applied to areas which consititute homes - certainly no ban is going to apply to living areas in prisons. Of course, if it does, it means that murderers will in theory have more liberty than someone with a mental health problem, yet the person with the mental health problem with not have chosen to put themselves in that situation...
Sign In or Register to comment.