So the government is looking to crack down on smokers. Again.
Cigarettes are going to be brandless, more expensive and kept under the counter alongside hardcore porn, pointy objects and other social taboos.
These measures are meant to dramatically cut the number of young smokers, by pricing them out of the market and making the habit both less attractive and accessible.
However, having done my dissertation on attitudes towards the smoking ban, I think it’s vital that rather than readily throwing legislation at the problem, the government makes a more concerted effort to educate future generations. This will prove infinitely more effective in reducing smokers in the long-run, without riling the anti anti-smoking brigade, or risking a rise in the ‘forbidden fruit’ effect.
A personalised approach which informs youngsters, rather than dictates, has always got to be the better option.
