[InOne]

If you're a smoker, could you imagine having to apply and pay for a licence to buy tobacco?

The application process might even include a test to find out if you understood the risks of smoking, and your swipe card licence would limit your tobacco purchases - perhaps to 50 cigarettes per day or less.

It might sound extreme, even social engineering, but this is the proposal of a public health expert in Australia, who suggests that it could provide a practical "disincentive" for smokers.

Prof Simon Chapman from the University of Sydney is interested in the next generation of truly effective anti-smoking measures.

Laying out his case for a smokers licence in the latest issue of the journal Plos Medicine, he said it could be of interest to "high-income nations that are actively pursuing tobacco control goals".

So could a government-issued licence be the best solution to reduce smoking? And how could such a scheme work?

Read more here

[Niamh.]

They'd never do it here, they'd lose too much on taxes. I don't know, maybe, I am a smoker but I wish I wasn't, if it stopped people from starting it would be a good thing, eventhough at the same time it's a bit nanny state ish

[Kizzy]

You can see it now, off to score a 10bag of tobacco for the weekend...
The industries will hate the idea of ' rationing' as they will lose money. Putting the cost up hasn't worked, it just penalizes the poor and addicted whilst lining the industries pockets.

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by kizzy

You can see it now, off to score a 10bag of tobacco for the weekend...
The industries will hate the idea of ' rationing' as they will lose money. Putting the cost up hasn't worked, it just penalizes the poor and addicted whilst lining the industries pockets.

Isnt the increased price is all tax though so the tobacco industry don't actually benefit from it?

Anyway can't see this happening anytime soon, although they do seem to keep trying to come up with new ways to legislate against smoking without actually making it illegal

[Marcus.]

they gone power mad

[Ramsay]

I can see how it could help everyone cut down but it would never last
People would go crazy

[CharlieO]

Sounds like a good idea to me

[arista]

In the Future that may come in.

[CharlieO]

Originally Posted by arista

In the Future that may come in.

You sure? I thought it'd come in the past

[Kizzy]

I would have thought it was a % split, so if the cost goes up their profit margin does too?
But totally, tax revenue...wow we would lose a huge chunk, as said for this reason alone it would prob never happen here.

[Shaun]

Oh god, enough of the hand-holding approach to smokers ffs. If you're so concerned about smokers' welfare then push for it to be banned, enough of this ****ing bureaucratic nonsense

[arista]

Originally Posted by Shaun

Oh god, enough of the hand-holding approach to smokers ffs. If you're so concerned about smokers' welfare then push for it to be banned, enough of this ****ing bureaucratic nonsense

Its the Future
Shaun




Life In The Fast Lane.

[Marc]

Yes, smokers are disgusting.

Make them pay loads.

[Lee.]

Originally Posted by Marc

Yes, smokers are disgusting.

Make them pay loads.

[Livia]

If you're going to make people get a licence to smoke, I want to see people have to have a licence to drink. I also want people to sign a statement to say that they understand the instructions printed on whatever form of contraception they are going to say failed when the tax-payer ends up paying for their kid. Why stop at tobacco?

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Livia

If you're going to make people get a licence to smoke, I want to see people have to have a licence to drink. I also want people to sign a statement to say that they understand the instructions printed on whatever form of contraception they are going to say failed when the tax-payer ends up paying for their kid. Why stop at tobacco?

Agreed.

Maybe take it a step further if 'health' is the issue here, and say you need a license to buy chocolate/crisps/anything thats not raw veg.

[Marc]

see, that woman in that picture is a vile, smelly hooker

[Lee.]

That's yer maw

[Marc]

My mother does smoke actaully

Which is why I hate it, smells horrible and I can't escape it.

[Lee.]

Start smoking a pipe.. it will cover up the smell of her fags

[Marc]

Ahh that's actually a very good idea.. I hadn't though of that.. It would reall- oh wait a minute ...

[Shaun]

smoking is clearly sexy so shut up world

[arista]

Originally Posted by Shaun

smoking is clearly sexy so shut up world

No Shaun honey
its no longer Sexy.

That was the 1970's.

[AnnieK]

Its just another revenue generator - you will have to apply and pay for a licence, then buy a packet of cigs and pay tax on those too.

[Cherie]

I never thought I would see the day when smokers would be forced to stand outside in the cold if they wanted a ciggie... So you never know what they will briing in next.