WHO calls for action against illicit tobacco trade on World No Tobacco Day

Friday, May 29th 2015 - 09:22 UTC

Full article 4 comments

Eliminating the illicit trade in tobacco would generate an annual tax windfall of 31 billion dollars for governments, improve public health, help cut crime and curb an important revenue source for the tobacco industry. Those are the key themes of World No Tobacco Day on May 31 when the World Health Organization will urge Member States to sign the Protocol to Eliminate the Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products. Read full article

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Bisley
Why must these people try to enforce their preferences on everyone (and profit by doing it)? There would be no “illicit” trade in tobacco, if many governments weren't taxing it at a rate several times the value of the actual product. People's health and safety is their own responsibility, and if they choose to do things that others consider to be dangerous, that is their right. It's not a proper function of governments (or international organizations) to promote, or discourage the use of any product, or to try to protect people from the consequences of their own choices.
May 29th, 2015 - 06:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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ChrisR
@ 1 Bisley

I take it you are a smoker then?

I smoked fags from the age of 14 up to the day I was 25. I am now 69.

I had just bought a 20 pack of B&H Gold filter and started to read my office post. At that time I had responsibility to my then MD to recognise articles in the commercial press (no internet then) that would be of interest or a threat to the business.

The first article related to the threats to personal health of smoking cigarettes. I had tried on many occasions to quit smoking but failed miserably, at the time I was smoking 60 B&H A DAY!

The medical evidence was quite clear and very much showed that I was in the “Last Chance Saloon”. “If you quit before the age of 25, then by the time you are 30 your cardiovascular system would be the same as if you had never smoked”

I had smoked ONE cigarette out of the pack of twenty and was struck that I had this last chance to make my body and especially my lungs 'clean' so to say: I threw the 19 fags in their packet straight into my waste bin!

I never looked back and never had the withdrawal systems that I had always experienced each time I tried to stop.

The one thing that is crystal clear is that inhaling tobacco fumes into your body WILL result in damage to your health. I had a typical smoker's cough and within 12 months I never felt better in all my life.

More power to ANYTHING that reduces the numbers of children and teenagers smoking tobacco.

I have no idea how old you are but I urge you to stop. I personally know how difficult it is to do so but it IS worth it at ANY age.
May 29th, 2015 - 08:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Bisley
@ 2 ChrisR

If you, or anyone else choose to stop smoking, or try to convince others to, fine. But, it is not something for government to force on people, or tax them at an outrageous rate for using. I've smoked heavily for fifty-some years, and while it has certainly had some detrimental effects, I like it and probably won't quit. Freedom (if there is any freedom left) includes the right to live as you please, provided you don't interfere with the right of others to do the same, regardless of whether anyone considers your actions distasteful, dangerous, or stupid. Individuals have the right to set their own standards and decide what sort of risks they're willing to accept.
May 30th, 2015 - 02:41 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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ChrisR
@ 3 Bisley

Well, I tried. :o)
May 30th, 2015 - 12:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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