Sunday 29 August 2010

Smoking rate fall 'shows no need for a ban' (Grocer). Or does it?

Is there a need for further drastic measures to reduce smoking among youth? The Grocer last Saturday said no. Quoting the journal Addiction, it claimed that since raising the age of purchase to 18, the youth smoking rate is already in decline, and no further action is needed.

Just a week later, the BBC pointed out that more shops were failing test purchases in Lincolnshire.

Coincidence? Did the Grocers article cause alarm among supporters of legislation and get them looking for a story of uncontrolled youth tobacco purchasing? You decide.

I am in no doubt that underage sales occur, but the idea that hiding tobacco in shops will make them any less likely is completely out of the box.

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