FOREST is frequently called upon to comment on a wide range of smoking-related issues. This section explains our position on the following subjects:
Passive smoking
YOU won't be surprised to learn that we are highly sceptical about the argument that says there is 'no safe level of environmental tobacco smoke' or even that passive smoking is a serious cause of ill health. The interesting thing is, we are not alone. > more
Addiction or habit?
IT IS generally accepted that nicotine is 'addictive'. But is smoking really 'a habit that is impossible to break'? Some people believe that the language of addiction is counter-productive because it turns people into victims who are no longer in control of their own behaviour. > more
Smoking in public places
THE argument that says smoking should be banned in all public places is closely related to passive smoking. We believe that voluntary codes of practice are the best way forward. Ultimately, employers and proprietors must be free to choose a policy on smoking that best suits their business. > more
Underage smoking
THERE are two reasons why FOREST does not want children to smoke. First, we don't believe children are mature enough to make an informed decision about the health risks of smoking tobacco. Two, we support adult smokers and it is not in their interest for children to smoke because it simply gets used as an excuse to discriminate against adult smokers.
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Smoking and health
THERE cannot be sane adult in the UK who isn't aware that smoking carries a health risk. On the other hand, the anti-smoking lobby's unnecessarily brutal 'quit or die' message is so demonstrably untrue that it's no wonder that so many smokers have stopped listening. > more
Tobacco taxation
WHAT a mess! Under pressure from the powerful health lobby, successive governments have progressively increased tobacco taxation to the point where up to 89% of the retail price goes straight to the Treasury. By contrast, you can buy tobacco for half the price (or less) in countries such as Belgium, France, Luxembourg and Spain. The result is gloriously predictable - chaos at home and abroad. > more
Tobacco advertising
IT had to happen. In 2003 our wonderful paternalistic Government finally banned the advertising and promotion of tobacco. Some say it is justified in order to 'protect' children and, presumably, adults from the 'evil weed'. Others consider it censorship, a blatant attack on the consumers' right to information about a perfectly legal product, and yet another example of all-pervading nanny state. > more
Healthcare
IN 2000 a little known Labour MP called for smokers to pay a premium to use the National Health Service. This simply added fuel to the belief, genuinely held by some smokers, that they are discriminated against because of their habit. Some hospitals, meanwhile, have not only banned smoking inside the building. They have even employed people to monitor the hospital grounds in order to catch errant smokers lighting up in the grounds! What sort of healthcare should smokers expect or deserve? > more
Public transport
SMOKING is banned on buses, the London Underground, all commuter and most inter city trains. Do smokers really care? And what do non-smokers think about it? > more
Reports
ALSO to be featured in this section are a number of reports that FOREST has submitted to a variety of government bodies in recent years. These will appear in pdf form later in the year. > more |
