Smokers’ rights campaigners have welcomed the news that the next New Zealand government will scrap a new law banning the sale of tobacco to future generations of adults. Urging prime minister Rishi Sunak to abandon the Tobacco and Vapes Bill that would introduce the...
2023 News Releases
Forest slams “punitive” attack on working class smokers
Campaigners have slammed Chancellor Jeremy Hunt after he announced that duty on hand-rolling tobacco would be increased by 10% above the tobacco duty escalator. Simon Clark, director of Forest, said, "The Chancellor has just raised two fingers to working class people...
King’s Speech: Forest condemns announcement of legislation to ban sale of cigarettes to future generations of adults in the UK
Forest has condemned the announcement of legislation that will deny future generations of adults the right to purchase cigarettes in the UK. Simon Clark, director of Forest, said: “This is the worst form of nanny state regulation because it treats consenting adults...
Ireland: Tobacco tax hike will “drive more smokers to the black market”
Campaigners have slammed the announcement by Finance Minister Michael McGrath of an excise tax hike of 75c on a pack of 20 cigarettes, bringing the price to €16.75. John Mallon, spokesman for the smokers' lobby group Forest Ireland, said: "Smokers don't deserve this....
Tobacco sales ban: PM accused of “creeping prohibition”
Forest has accused prime minister Rishi Sunak of “creeping prohibition” and treating future generations of adults like children. Responding to the announcement that the government will raise the age of sale of tobacco by one year every year, Simon Clark, director of...
Banning sale of cigarettes to future generations “obscene”
Forest has reacted with anger to a report that the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is 'considering introducing some of the world's toughest anti-smoking measures that would in effect ban the next generation from ever being able to buy cigarettes'. Director Simon Clark...
Proposal to ban smoking outside pubs and restaurants “insane”
Campaigners have slammed a proposal to ban smoking outside pubs and restaurants. An amendment to the Government’s Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, tabled by Lord Young of Cookham, seeks to prohibit smoking in licensed pavement areas where people are eating and...
Forest rejects calls for tougher regulations on vaping
Responding to calls for tougher regulations on vaping, Simon Clark, director of Forest, said: "Millions of adults have successfully quit smoking by switching to e-cigarettes. Convenience, availability, and attractive displays are a key part of this transformation....
In This Section
Mission & Vision
Mission
Forest’s mission is to protect the interests of adults who choose to smoke or consume tobacco.
Our key aims and objectives are to:
- counteract the “denormalisation” of smoking, and smokers
- prevent further restrictions on the purchase and consumption of tobacco
- establish closer links with other tobacco-friendly groups at home and abroad
- build support among consumers of tobacco and other similarly threatened groups
- highlight the increasingly intrusive nature of Big Government in the lives of private individuals