‘Cigarettes today, alcohol tomorrow’: Readers react to Scottish smoking ban suggestions

By James Wyllie

June 14 2022, 6:00 am

We asked our readers for their thoughts on a potential phased smoking ban for Scotland.

Suggestions Scotland should impose a phased smoking ban have divided reader opinion, with some in agreement and others advocating the right to choose.

Last week the Scottish Government confirmed it was considering options for how it can create a “smoke-free generation” by 2034.

The comments followed a review in England which recommended a phased smoking ban is brought in.

This would raise the legal age for buying cigarettes from 18 by one year annually, until no-one was old enough to purchase them.

Efforts in New Zealand to ban current under-14s from ever buying tobacco in their lifetimes were also namechecked by the Scottish Government.

We asked our readers for their thoughts – with many thinking it’s a step too far.

‘Smokers have suffered enough’

"No, I don't smoke but I think people should have the choice, it's not up to the gov to ban anything they think is bad for us, let people decide for themselves" "No, I used to smoke and I feel the smokers have suffered enough with rules and regulations. It's up to the individual what they want to do" "Nope. People should be entitled to smoke if the want to. No one has the right to take that decision away." "No... And no I don't and never have smoked." — Some readers said decisions on smoking should be left to individuals.

One common theme with readers on the Press & Journal and Evening Express Facebook pages was the right to choose.

Commenters said it was up to the individual whether or not they partake in smoking – and this wasn’t a decision that the Scottish Government should be allowed to influence.

Existing curbs, such as a ban on smoking indoors in public places, were also raised with the suggestion tobacco users have “suffered enough” already.

"Just in public places, yes." "Yes, ban it" "Yes it's a horrible habit" — Comments backing a potential Scottish phased ban on smoking were largely short and to-the-point.

Some of our commenters agreed with the Scottish Government’s position.

Others suggested a compromise where it would be banned in public places, allowing smokers to continue without impacting others to the same extent.

Another common thread was the idea of a “slippery slope” – if smoking is banned, what’s next?

Some were concerned about potential knock-on effects of such a ban.

One commenter claimed it was a “quick path to authoritarianism”, adding: “Cigarettes today, alcohol tomorrow.”

There was concern that such a move would drive tobacco sales underground, rather than preventing people from smoking.

The issue of safe consumption rooms for certain substances was also raised, with claims it would be hypocritical to ban smoking while allowing the use of some drugs.