Proposed banning of electronic fags

So apparently 700 thousand Brits now use electronic cigarettes as they are cheap, only deliver a nicotine hit (harmless) and it's something to keep your hands occupied. They are currently viewed as a lifestyle item, whereas nicotine patches, pills etc are considered a medical item and therefore subject to different taxes, and stringent testing procedures.
Brussels apparently wish to reclassify electronic cigs as medical - and although they have been in use for years, they haven't been tested on baby kittens eyeballs - and will therefore be banned until lengthy testing has been undertaken.
Laboratory pets everywhere are gearing up to pack in the rollies and go electronic.
Now I don't wish to appear cynical, but 700k former smokers giving up the tar and chemicals whilst retaining the pleasure of nicotine is a fairly hefty financial blow to the tobacco barons. Add that to the financial impetus that the medical profession will get if they're reclassified and the lobby most likely to defend electronic cigs will have their silence bought.
It looks like the corporate stalemate that created the situation whereby smokers could pay less tax, not endanger themselves or other people, whilst continuing with a pastime they enjoy may be coming to an end.
Just goes to show that they'll get everybody eventually - tax revenue is more important than the national health bill apparently.

If the government cared about our health and not money cigs would've been banned years ago.

Its because the government cunts are worried about the loss of Tax revenue from people not buying fags anymore...

Bernard Dennis Park wrote:If the government cared about our health and not money cigs would've been banned years ago.

Dave makes a good point.

Jamster26 wrote:

Bernard Dennis Park wrote:If the government cared about our health and not money cigs would've been banned years ago.

Dave makes a good point.

Just think of the tax losses....

Bernard Dennis Park wrote:If the government cared about our health and not money cigs would've been banned years ago.

True, but how much of your free will are you prepared to hand over to the government. ? Have the choice, but pay for it. Seems ok to me.

wanderlust wrote:So apparently 700 thousand Brits now use electronic cigarettes as they are cheap,

That will soon change if they continue to be popular.

Bernard Dennis Park wrote:If the government cared about our health and not money cigs would've been banned years ago.

Just like drugs are banned?

Lyric Todkill wrote:

Bernard Dennis Park wrote:If the government cared about our health and not money cigs would've been banned years ago.

Just like drugs are banned?

I dont do drugs.

however, Im sure everybody agrees - the only reason cannabis is not legal is because it cannot really be taxed.

If the government found a real way of growing it and allowing off-licences to sell it without 'home grown' stuff giving competition - they would dive on it.

Lyric Todkill wrote:

Bernard Dennis Park wrote:If the government cared about our health and not money cigs would've been banned years ago.

Just like drugs are banned?

Yep, if they could make money taxing drugs they'd be legal and sold in thousands of shops.

BDP, You're right, because I remember years ago, a discussion about the feasability of managing cannabis, and pricing it much the same way as cigarettes, all in order to 'control' it.

I believe the next steps will be introducing machines, chips, whatever, that directly affect the senses , and can be used to switch on and off specific areas within the brain, such as the 'pleasure' and 'feel good' centres. So in 30 years time, drugs will be a poor second.

Would you be bothered if a table of smokers (with e cigs) was next to you in a restaurant?

No - there's no smoke. Better than unwashed persons.
The drugs thing never made sense to me. British Pharmaceuticals produce cocaine, heroin and amphetamines etc for use in old people's "medication" and by law (DDA) all chemists used to have to stock them - maybe they still do - haven't robbed a chemist in a while
As a nation, we have the means of production and it's controlled production so there is a degree of quality control. Instead of taking control of the drugs market and:
-stopping kids dying because they're on drugs cut with anything from washing powder to fertiliser
-removing the "mystique" of drug abuse that causes kids to take drugs and reducing demand
-controlling the supply and generating much-needed taxes from their legal sale
-reducing drug-associated crime like burglary
-killing off the largest income generator for organised crime
...successive governments have not chosen to fly in the face of public opinion by letting the drugs market be run by criminals - all because the media have planted an unassailable link between drugs and crime in the minds of the voting public. Taking control of the drugs market is never going to be a vote winner, but it seems to me that it's better to grasp the nettle and do some good for the country instead of fuelling ill-health, organised crime and wasting a tax revenue stream that could be used for the benefit of the broader society.
They took control of other drugs like alcohol and tobacco so why not go the whole hog instead of whingeing about it?

Too many of the people in power are totally uneducated on the subject. Their comments on the matter are embarrassing and when someone who knows what he's talking about tries to bring facts into the debate he loses his job.

Bernard Dennis Park wrote:Too many of the people in power are totally uneducated on the subject. Their comments on the matter are embarrassing and when someone who knows what he's talking about tries to bring facts into the debate he loses his job.

Bernard Dennis Park wrote:Too many of the people in power are totally uneducated on the subject. Their comments on the matter are embarrassing and when someone who knows what he's talking about tries to bring facts into the debate he loses his job.

They should look at informative documentaries on the subject of drugs before they pass comment. This Scotland Yard drug squad copper certainly knows his shit.

https://youtu.be/DduAbLpZDHg