WalesOnline readers have had their say after it was suggested the age at which people can buy cigarettes should be increased by one year, every year until eventually no one can buy tobacco products. The recommendation came after UK Government health minister Sajid Javid commissioned an independent review, led by Dr Javed Khan OBE, to see how smoking can be made "obsolete".
The Welsh Government, which also has a plan to make the country smoke free, says it backs the findings and will support anything to reduce the number of young people smoking. Other interventions recommended in the report include a tobacco licence for retailers to limit the availability of tobacco across the country; a rethink of the way cigarette sticks and packets look to reduce their appeal; and a mass media campaign to encourage smokers to quit.
More than 300 WalesOnline readers shared their opinion on the matter and many seemed unsure of the idea. To get the latest WalesOnline newsletters emailed to you directly for free, click here.
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Andrew Elliott said: "The unintended consequence of this will be to create an illegal market with the supply of tobacco being in the hands of criminals and drug dealers. Loss of tax revenue that funds treatment through the NHS. Have we learned nothing, the war on drugs will never be won. Use education and harm reduction strategies instead."
Richard Carr said "So 18 to 21-year-olds will be considered mature enough to marry, serve in the Armed Forces and fight in wars, vote in elections and stand for them, serve on juries, enter into legally binding contracts and take on all other adult responsibilities but judged incapable of deciding for themselves whether or not they can take the risks associated with smoking. Let that sink in."
Natalie Jones said: "What is it with the government trying to control people's lives these days? I thought that we had human rights. If people want to smoke, they should have the right to do so. The only thing I hate is people smoking weed in public. I don't smoke, but I do think that people should have the right to do whatever they want to in their life, which includes smoking."
Jeanie Anderson said: "It makes sense as some people are not capable of making sensible health choices and nicotine is one of the most addictive stimulants which caused health problems for my dad for half of his life! The family were inadvertently affected by the passive smoking, until my mum banned him to smoking at the front door or the yard. This ban should also include vapes."
Alison Clark said: "Do the maths. It will only stop those currently under 21 from ever buying them legally. I am 58 so if you have to be 21 I am 37 years ahead, when they move it up to 22 I will be 59 still 37 years ahead!!"
Kathryn Price said: "When they realise how much money smokers pay in tax, god help [because] that is crazy money. And they’ll need to find it from somewhere else." Caterina Rogers said: "That's right make something harder to get and people will want it more, surely it's up to the individual if they want to smoke not the government. There is also an age limit now but that doesn't stop the underage people from smoking."
Cerys Roberts said: "To all those who are disagreeing with this, if you’re so against the thought of future kids not being smokers than why is it that majority (not all) of smokers tell youngsters that they regret smoking in the first place and they don’t recommend it. I doubt they are doing it to look better of themselves, a lot of people do generally regret starting in the first place. I’ve never touched a cig in my life and don’t intend to. It stinks and does a lot of damaged to your health as well as your wallet...not to mention it makes you a right snappy git when you need your next one!"
What do you think about the plans? Tell us in the comments below
