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The more cigarettes are banned the more they are advertised

Published on July 10, 2008 10:19 AM

Anti-smoking and anti-tobacco companies are so ardent promoted worldwide that they may bring a totally opposed effect.

Government proposals to force tobacco under the counter and to have cigarette vending machines removed from hotels, pubs and restaurants were scheduled for discussions for autumn, but it has already raise some discussions.

By the way, if the government proposal gets the legal force, traders will be forced to keep cigarettes under the counter.

But federation of Small Businesses warns of the possible contrary results of anti-tobacco campaigns. A Federation spokesman opined the more government put things out of people's reach the more you glamorize it.

This idea was supported by pro-smoking pressure group Forest. They said that the more anti-tobacco groups make smoking something taboo and forbidden and wrong, the more they attract teenagers who want to rebel.

“This is more nanny state nonsense which attempts to make smokers feel bad about themselves and victimize them. It won't help prevent children from smoking,” added Forests’ spokesperson.

But, there is the other side of the medal. Dr Richard Vautrey, deputy chairman-of the British Medical Association's GP committee, said that everything that is related to smoking and tobacco should be banned and anything that diminishes the cigarette images should be welcomed.