[Swan]

Not imo, no.

The gambling companies are the most blatant at this. Every other ad, online, on tv etc is for gambling. They've been clever in recent years with the heavy promotion of everyday gambling being a social thing. They've done a 'great' job at normalising everyday gambling. I used to bet every weekend without fail on the football, though my last bet was the World Cup. After a good few grand wasted over the years down, i just find the idea of betting boring now.

The alcohol industry are also making a big push to attract the next gen of drinkers. Bud Light had a good go with that trans person on the cans. Especially for trying to attract younger people to drink beer, which has been on the downfall with younger drinkers over the years. Regardless of whether you drink beer or not, Bud Light is awful, so many other better tasting beers than that rubbish.

[Livia]

Gambling exploits people every day. It feels like every third ad on tv is for gambling.

[Alf]

2 or 3 years ago I was paying around £12.50 for 30g of tobacco. Yesterday I had to pay £17.75.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Alf

2 or 3 years ago I was paying around £12.50 for 30g of tobacco. Yesterday I had to pay £17.75.

I'm off them nearly a year and a half now but they're at €15.80 per 20 pack here now which is just under £14, that's crazy money

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Alf

2 or 3 years ago I was paying around £12.50 for 30g of tobacco. Yesterday I had to pay £17.75.

You need to get yourself a passport and a cheap flight to Spain my niece gets all her tobacco on trips its a quarter of the price

Amber leaf is around 87 or 88 euros for 10 packs. 174 Euros for 20 pouches (50g) which included a free bottle of whisky or vodka

See how we are ripped off in this country

[Swan]

Originally Posted by Cherie

You need to get yourself a passport and a cheap flight to Spain my niece gets all her tobacco on trips its a quarter of the price

Gold leaf is around 87 or 88 euros for 10 packs. 174 Euros for 20 pouches (50g) which included a free bottle of whisky or vodka

See how we are ripped off in this country

A 50g pouch of Amber Leaf lasts me about a month (i have to put lettuce in the pouch after a week or 2 to keep it moist) and i get that off a "mate" for £20.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Swan

A 50g pouch of Amber Leaf lasts me about a month (i have to put lettuce in the pouch after a week or 2 to keep it moist) and i get that off a "mate" for £20.

Sorry yeah I meant Amber leaf I could become a tobacco mule I suppose, I know my niece sells some on

[bots]

the same applies to alcohol, but you wont hear so many people moaning about that.

It's actually a far bigger issue when you include things like petrol, because that is targeting the poorest in society

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

the same applies to alcohol, but you wont hear so many people moaning about that.

It's actually a far bigger issue when you include things like petrol, because that is targeting the poorest in society

No because if you smoke you are addicted to smoking(besides the very rare few who only smoke socially with a drink and they usually bum cigarettes from smokers ) but most people who drink aren't addicts so might only have a drink once a week or less so the price wouldn't be as big an issue as buying cigarettes

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

No because if you smoke you are addicted to smoking(besides the very rare few who only smoke socially with a drink and they usually bum cigarettes from smokers ) but most people who drink aren't addicts so might only have a drink once a week or less so the price wouldn't be as big an issue as buying cigarettes

The big difference is in the type of addiction - it's quite "difficult" to get a physical addiction to alcohol, "casual alcoholism" is a social crutch or psychological addiction and that really has to go on for a while before a real alcohol dependence occurs (though when it does, it's a horrendous thing).

Smoking is almost the opposite - most people could psychologically "take it or leave it" but physical nicotine addiction kicks in FAST and is hard to shake... the main reason people are hooked on nicotine products is the nicotine itself (and how they feel if they DON'T have it), not the effect.

I do think smoking is an odd one, in terms of if it's exploitation. 30+ years ago I might have said yes, it is unfair exploitation, there was a huge amount of mixed messaging about smoking and the effects on health ans probability of addiction, so it seems totally wrong to get people hooked on a product and then repeatedly raise prices.

These days though? I'm not so sure. No one who has had their first smoke in the last few decades chose to do it without being in full knowledge of the facts;

1) It's bad for your health
2) It's addictive
3) It's expensive

... ... ... and with that in mind, I can't say I find it particularly abhorrent when taxes are raised on it. Anyone who claims they didn't know about the downsides BEFORE they took their first cigarette has to be lying.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Soldier Boy

The big difference is in the type of addiction - it's quite "difficult" to get a physical addiction to alcohol, "casual alcoholism" is a social crutch or psychological addiction and that really has to go on for a while before a real alcohol dependence occurs (though when it does, it's a horrendous thing).

Smoking is almost the opposite - most people could psychologically "take it or leave it" but physical nicotine addiction kicks in FAST and is hard to shake... the main reason people are hooked on nicotine products is the nicotine itself (and how they feel if they DON'T have it), not the effect.

I do think smoking is an odd one, in terms of if it's exploitation. 30+ years ago I might have said yes, it is unfair exploitation, there was a huge amount of mixed messaging about smoking and the effects on health ans probability of addiction, so it seems totally wrong to get people hooked on a product and then repeatedly raise prices.

These days though? I'm not so sure. No one who has had their first smoke in the last few decades chose to do it without being in full knowledge of the facts;

1) It's bad for your health
2) It's addictive
3) It's expensive

... ... ... and with that in mind, I can't say I find it particularly abhorrent when taxes are raised on it. Anyone who claims they didn't know about the downsides BEFORE they took their first cigarette has to be lying.

Of course the new generation are all vaping now, i don't think very many young people (as in under 20) smoke actual cigarettes anymore (I doubt they could afford to anyway)

[James]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Of course the new generation are all vaping now, i don't think very many young people (as in under 20) smoke actual cigarettes anymore (I doubt they could afford to anyway)

Australia has just banned recreational vaping. They're only allowing it with a prescription, to help people quit smoking.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-65446352

[Alf]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

the same applies to alcohol, but you wont hear so many people moaning about that.

It's actually a far bigger issue when you include things like petrol, because that is targeting the poorest in society

Alcohol is chesp as anything. I can go to Lidl and can drink all night and get well pissed for £6.18

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Alf

Alcohol is chesp as anything. I can go to Lidl and can drink all night and get well pissed for £6.18

Drinking in a pub is getting expensive though. I was in a hotel a couple of weeks ago and they charged €10 for a glass of wine

[Alf]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Drinking in a pub is getting expensive though

I don't do it any more unless there's some occasion like a funeral or something. Why would I pay all that money for a pint and then be made to go outside to smoke. When I can drink 8 pints for just over £6 and smoke in the warmth and safety of my home?

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Alf

I don't do it any more unless there's some occasion like a funeral or something. Why would I pay all that money for a pint and then be made to go outside to smoke. When I can drink 8 pints for just over £6 and smoke in the warmth and safety of my home?

I think a lot of people are thinking the same or you'd be more likely to have a just a couple out and have a drink at home before or after instead (or up in your hotel room )

[thesheriff443]

If you got issues buy some tissues
No one is born with a fag in their mouth or a needle in their arm

[user104658]

Originally Posted by thesheriff443

If you got issues buy some tissues
No one is born with a fag in their mouth or a needle in their arm

HORRIFICALLY, babies are actually born addicted to heroin, every day. It crosses the placenta so if mum was shooting up in pregnancy, baby is born an addict. Horrible situation.

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by Soldier Boy

HORRIFICALLY, babies are actually born addicted to heroin, every day. It crosses the placenta so if mum was shooting up in pregnancy, baby is born an addict. Horrible situation.

Yes I’ve heard of it, I think it’s called clucking wen the baby is born

[Parmy]

Like swan out, these gambling adverts on TV are atrocious. It's clearly the work of the devil.