I used to fall for the old arguments about smoking and freedom – that people were entitled to do this stupid thing if they wanted to. I may even have used the expression ‘nanny state’, though I try very hard to avoid it now.
Sometimes even grown-ups need a bit of nannying.
I even campaigned, in an office I worked in, against a planned smoking ban, though I have never smoked myself. I was quite wrong.
It is perfectly sensible and justifiable to use the law to try to stop people from harming themselves, unless there are very good reasons for the risk. Because when you harm yourself, you harm plenty of other people too.
No, I never believed the stories about second-hand smoke, and still don’t.
Cigarettes stink and spoil the atmosphere, and anyone who smokes them near others who are eating is inconsiderate and rude. But I think the evidence that they give cancer to anyone apart from the people actually smoking them is very thin indeed.
The real harm to others is quite different. If you fall seriously ill, you are not the only one who suffers. Everyone close to you suffers too, often more than you do. And after your (often unpleasantly lingering) death from lung cancer, it is the others who are left to grieve and cope without the help, company and income of the carefree smoker who said it was a risk worth taking and discovered too late that it wasn’t.
And I have no doubt at all that the bans on smoking, in trains, cinemas, buses, pubs, restaurants and hotels are helping many people give up a habit that is actually much harder to quit than heroin.
And one measure of the rightness of these bans is how quickly it has begun to seem strange that smoking was ever allowed in these places.
Did we really watch films through columns of bluish effluent? Were trains on the London Underground stained a noxious yellow, full of stale fug and strewn with butts? Was the back end of every aeroplane a sordid zone of wheezing and spluttering?
Yes, it was so, though I really can’t work out why we put up with it for so long. Something so self-evidently ugly and dirty obviously wasn’t good for us.
I realised that I couldn’t really believe – as I do – that the law can be used to discourage cannabis, or drunkenness, or drunk driving, if I continued to support the futile, fatal freedoms of smokers.
So I changed my opinion. The ban on displaying cigarettes in shops will cause fewer people to smoke, as all the other measures have since the first health warning appeared on the first packet.
And in time this strange, self-destructive habit, which is actually very new and only really invaded the civilised world during two disastrous wars, will be banished to the margins of life.
Then we will have proof prohibition does sometimes work, if it is intelligently and persistently imposed.
And the stupid, fashionable claim that there is no point in applying the laws against that sinister poison, cannabis, will be shown up for what it is – selfish, dangerous tripe. Where we can save people from destroying themselves, we must do so.
понедельник, 14 марта 2011 г.
hy collecting more cigarette taxes makes sense
The health of the nation continues to be a compelling reason why more cigarette taxes should be collected, and this has been the subject of several of my columns in the past.
Recently, I came across a study which cited University of the Philippines Dean and Professor of Law Marvic MVF Leonen as one of the authors that systematically tackled the issue of the ill-effects of tobacco smoking on the health budget.
As I had also written in this column before, the paper likewise noted the “popularity” of smoking in the Philippines not just among adults, but even with our youth despite the popular notion that this generation is more supportive of healthy and “green” living.
Accordingly, the country has 17.3 million adult smokers, which squarely puts us as having one of the highest smoking prevalence rates in the world. In fact, we are ranked 12th among males, and 5th among females. More alarmingly, the paper talks about the growing population of youth smokers, one that has increased by almost 40 percent during a span of four years.
Even if there is a law prohibiting sale to minors, at least a fourth of our youth has started to smoke. According to the 2000 Global Youth Tobacco Survey, there are even cases of children younger than 10 years old who have started to pick up the filthy habit.
Smoking ills raise health cost
No wonder then that the cost to our society because of smoking ills is also on the rise. An estimated 30,000 Filipinos die yearly of smoking-related illnesses, including diseases of the heart, nervous system, pulmonary system, and various cancers.
Another 30,000 people, second-hand smokers or individuals exposed to the smoke of those who drag on the nicotine of their cigars or cigarettes, are estimated to be afflicted by this smoking mania. Particularly vulnerable are children with asthma.
The cost of smoking to the country, both in terms of health care and productivity losses, is estimated to be between P220 to P460 billion. Worse, those affected belong to the lower levels of the income strata, and subsequently pose a higher burden on the public health care system.
Recently, I came across a study which cited University of the Philippines Dean and Professor of Law Marvic MVF Leonen as one of the authors that systematically tackled the issue of the ill-effects of tobacco smoking on the health budget.
As I had also written in this column before, the paper likewise noted the “popularity” of smoking in the Philippines not just among adults, but even with our youth despite the popular notion that this generation is more supportive of healthy and “green” living.
Accordingly, the country has 17.3 million adult smokers, which squarely puts us as having one of the highest smoking prevalence rates in the world. In fact, we are ranked 12th among males, and 5th among females. More alarmingly, the paper talks about the growing population of youth smokers, one that has increased by almost 40 percent during a span of four years.
Even if there is a law prohibiting sale to minors, at least a fourth of our youth has started to smoke. According to the 2000 Global Youth Tobacco Survey, there are even cases of children younger than 10 years old who have started to pick up the filthy habit.
Smoking ills raise health cost
No wonder then that the cost to our society because of smoking ills is also on the rise. An estimated 30,000 Filipinos die yearly of smoking-related illnesses, including diseases of the heart, nervous system, pulmonary system, and various cancers.
Another 30,000 people, second-hand smokers or individuals exposed to the smoke of those who drag on the nicotine of their cigars or cigarettes, are estimated to be afflicted by this smoking mania. Particularly vulnerable are children with asthma.
The cost of smoking to the country, both in terms of health care and productivity losses, is estimated to be between P220 to P460 billion. Worse, those affected belong to the lower levels of the income strata, and subsequently pose a higher burden on the public health care system.
пятница, 25 февраля 2011 г.
ND Health Dept. budget uses tobacco measure money
A budget bill for North Dakota's Health Department uses money that the state's voters wanted to be spent on anti-smoking measures.
The North Dakota House approved the budget Wednesday. It changes an initiated measure that voters approved in 2008.
The measure said 80 percent of money from the state's "community health trust fund" must be spent on reducing tobacco use.
The fund itself is financed by a state lawsuit settlement against the nation's largest tobacco companies.
The Health Department budget bill eliminates the 80 percent provision.
It uses trust fund money for women's breast cancer screening, a state stroke registry and a program to fight heart disease in women.
Rugby Rep. Jon Nelson says the change won't hurt anti-smoking efforts.
The Health Department budget now goes to the state Senate.
The North Dakota House approved the budget Wednesday. It changes an initiated measure that voters approved in 2008.
The measure said 80 percent of money from the state's "community health trust fund" must be spent on reducing tobacco use.
The fund itself is financed by a state lawsuit settlement against the nation's largest tobacco companies.
The Health Department budget bill eliminates the 80 percent provision.
It uses trust fund money for women's breast cancer screening, a state stroke registry and a program to fight heart disease in women.
Rugby Rep. Jon Nelson says the change won't hurt anti-smoking efforts.
The Health Department budget now goes to the state Senate.
Smoking banned in Auburn city parks
Smokers in Auburn are now supposed to stay out of city parks. However, they won’t have any real consequences if they ignore that rule – at least not yet.
The Auburn City Council approved a resolution on Thursday establishing a smoke-free policy for all city parks. As part of the policy, smoking any cigarette, pipe, cigar, other tobacco items or any other plant will be prohibited. The city will likely post signs in city parks to inform visitors of the policy.
The proposal was put together with cooperation of city officials, the Cayuga County Tobacco Free Partnership and the local YMCA, which administers much of the youth programming in local parks.
The point of the rule is to “protect the health, welfare and safety of (Auburn’s) citizens,” the resolution reads.
John Rossi, the city’s chief attorney, said Thursday that the policy does not include any enforcement options like fines or citations at this time. For that to happen, the city council would likely have to change the city code, he said.
“This is basically going to be somewhat voluntary,” Rossi said.
Big tobacco using FOI to stall reforms: Roxon
British American Tobacco and Philip Morris have taken out a request for tens of thousands of documents relating to the Government's plan to introduce plain packaging laws.
If implemented, colours, brands, logos and promotional text on cigarette packets will all be banned and the packet will be covered by a graphic health warning.
The department initially quoted more than $2 million to process the FOI request, but under the laws the tobacco companies will not have to pay the full cost of processing.
Ms Roxon says it is clear what the tobacco companies are trying to do.
"The FOI applications are just another step in a long process that the tobacco [industry] has had a history of doing," she said.
"[They] will no doubt continue to try to tie up government resources and other resources in the hope of slowing down or putting off or reducing our determination to this cause."
British American Tobacco Australia has a 45 per cent stake in Australia's cigarette market and has vowed to fight the Government on the reforms.
The company says the plain packaging plan has not been properly thought through and the Government has not publicly released any of the information it used to develop the policy.
Company spokesman Mark Connell says the stand-off will end up in court.
He says plain packaging will also diminish their ability to compete against other brands.
Smoking rates stand at 17 per cent, but public health experts believe plain packaging will make cigarettes less appealing to young people.
If implemented, colours, brands, logos and promotional text on cigarette packets will all be banned and the packet will be covered by a graphic health warning.
The department initially quoted more than $2 million to process the FOI request, but under the laws the tobacco companies will not have to pay the full cost of processing.
Ms Roxon says it is clear what the tobacco companies are trying to do.
"The FOI applications are just another step in a long process that the tobacco [industry] has had a history of doing," she said.
"[They] will no doubt continue to try to tie up government resources and other resources in the hope of slowing down or putting off or reducing our determination to this cause."
British American Tobacco Australia has a 45 per cent stake in Australia's cigarette market and has vowed to fight the Government on the reforms.
The company says the plain packaging plan has not been properly thought through and the Government has not publicly released any of the information it used to develop the policy.
Company spokesman Mark Connell says the stand-off will end up in court.
He says plain packaging will also diminish their ability to compete against other brands.
Smoking rates stand at 17 per cent, but public health experts believe plain packaging will make cigarettes less appealing to young people.
среда, 22 декабря 2010 г.
New Year warning over the sale of illegal cigarettes and alcohol
COUNTERFEIT cigarettes and illicit booze are being sold around Cheshire, experts have warned.
In a crackdown on black market crime, HM Revenue and Customs are now urging people to be on their guard in the New Year.
With clever packaging, it can often be difficult to spot dodgy goods.
But almost 17 million illegal cigarettes and more than 250,000 litres of alcohol have recently been seized from homes across the North West.
Graham Forbes, HMRC Special Investigations Manager, said: “We’ve active and effective teams of officers operating across the North West to disrupt this illicit trade which has a devastating impact on legitimate retailers.
He spoke of discovering counterfeit cigarettes and drink in pubs and newsagents, and even in the boot of a taxi.
In a crackdown on black market crime, HM Revenue and Customs are now urging people to be on their guard in the New Year.
With clever packaging, it can often be difficult to spot dodgy goods.
But almost 17 million illegal cigarettes and more than 250,000 litres of alcohol have recently been seized from homes across the North West.
Graham Forbes, HMRC Special Investigations Manager, said: “We’ve active and effective teams of officers operating across the North West to disrupt this illicit trade which has a devastating impact on legitimate retailers.
He spoke of discovering counterfeit cigarettes and drink in pubs and newsagents, and even in the boot of a taxi.
Two men sentenced in cigarette fraud scheme
Two Glendale men were sentenced on Monday to 366 days in federal prison for their roles in cigarette trafficking scheme. Grigor Chivitchian, 57, and Sarkis Mkrtchyan, 47, were also ordered to pay $280,000 in restitution to the state.
The two men pleaded guilty to federal contraband trafficking and conspiracy charges in September, according to announcement from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The investigation that started in 2007 found that Mkrtchyan and Chivitchian were not authorized to purchase or possess untaxed cigarettes in California.
The two men were also ordered to serve three years of probation.
By avoiding interstate taxes and reporting, smugglers can make millions that go unreported.
Another Glendale man sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison in April for cigarette fraud and tax evasion in 2008.
Between January 2002 and June 2005, Avedis Djeredjian, now 41, bought more than 367,960 cartons of cigarettes from North Carolina without adequate tax stamps from California regulators, depriving California of $3.2 million in tax revenue, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Djeredjian was also ordered to pay back more than $6.4 million. And upon completing his prison sentence, Djeredjian will have three years of parole.
The two men pleaded guilty to federal contraband trafficking and conspiracy charges in September, according to announcement from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The investigation that started in 2007 found that Mkrtchyan and Chivitchian were not authorized to purchase or possess untaxed cigarettes in California.
The two men were also ordered to serve three years of probation.
By avoiding interstate taxes and reporting, smugglers can make millions that go unreported.
Another Glendale man sentenced to more than seven years in federal prison in April for cigarette fraud and tax evasion in 2008.
Between January 2002 and June 2005, Avedis Djeredjian, now 41, bought more than 367,960 cartons of cigarettes from North Carolina without adequate tax stamps from California regulators, depriving California of $3.2 million in tax revenue, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Djeredjian was also ordered to pay back more than $6.4 million. And upon completing his prison sentence, Djeredjian will have three years of parole.
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