The smoking law vs fake freedom

The leading article in The Times the morning after MPs voted to back the government’s plans to create a “smoke-free generation” indicated clear support for the move.

Under the new law, each year, the legal age for cigarette sales (currently 18) will increase by one year, meaning that people born in or after 2009 will never be able to purchase cigarettes legally.

Some MPs claimed rights would be infringed by the legislation

The Times editorial targets the MPs who voted against the new law and emphasises the illusion of “freedom” in smoking, asserting that addiction eradicates genuine choice.

The article, expressing The Times view on smoking and the new law, criticises politicians who opposed it, portraying their stance as defending a harmful industry rather than individual liberty.

The article contends that the “right” to smoke, cited by many MPs who voted against the new legislation, is a deceptive notion perpetuated by a lethal industry.

Smoking is a public health crisis

The piece also draws attention to the staggering toll of tobacco-related deaths globally and in Britain, presenting smoking as a significant public health crisis.

Rishi Sunak’s proposal for what is, in effect, a gradual smoking ban in the UK receives high praise, with the article commending it as a crucial step toward combating smoking-related illnesses and goes on to highlight the bill’s provisions,

Enforcement, the black market, and the rebelliousness of youth

Despite acknowledging potential challenges such as the emergence of black markets and the fact that youngsters are often attracted to forbidden activities, the article asserts the necessity of drawing a line under smoking.

No doubt enforcement of the law will be an issue and a potential stumbling block going forward.

MPs held accountable for their vote regarding smoking legislation

The Times editorial applauds Rishi Sunak’s decision to allow a free vote on the issue, arguing that it holds MPs accountable for their choices.

It criticizes past prime ministers, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, for prioritising personal ideologies over public health concerns.

The article denounces arguments opposing the ban as mere excuses to cater to populist sentiments, emphasising the enslaving nature of smoking addiction and the need for decisive action and calls on the Labour Party to uphold a similar stance to Sunak if elected.

The Times believes that Sunak’s position will be judged as being on the right side of history, predicting that his legacy will be measured in the lives saved through the implementation of the smoking ban.

Overall, the editorial advocates for prioritising public health over somewhat faux individual liberties in the context of tobacco control.

Chris Whitty, chief medical officer of England, demolished bogus arguments about liberty: “The great majority of smokers wish they had never started,” he said. “This is a product which is designed to take your choice away from you.” Smoking is enslavement, not freedom comments The Times.

What is Allen Carr’s Easyway’s view?

John Dicey, Global CEO, Allen Carr’s Easyway comments, “We’re delighted that The Times, Chris Whitty et al have adopted Allen Carr’s view of nicotine addiction, in that it enslaves and denies addicts of their choice.

As Allen said, ‘We all chose to light those first experimental cigarettes – but after that – we didn’t smoke through choice but became controlled by one of the most addictive substances known to man’.

The fabulous news is that anyone addicted to nicotine can find it easy to get free by exercising one choice they retain – to use Allen Carr’s Easyway to Quit Smoking.

Rather than just banning smoking and treating smokers like outcasts we need to provide more help for them to quit and more resources to ensure that youngsters are no longer lured into nicotine addiction by unscrupulous vape and tobacco companies”.

Further reading

• Read the full opinion piece in The Times
• Read how Allen Carr’s Easyway are helping local quit smoking services
• Find out how to quit with Allen Carr’s Easyway to Quit Smoking