Oh Mandy, you came and you saved the tobacco (a bit) |
| Editor’s Blog | |
| Tuesday, 09 December 2008 | |
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It looks as though Lord Mandleson didn't get his way. Or at least he didn't get it all his own way. Last week, Mandy attempted to water down the government's health bill and proposals to ban tobacco displays in shops, along with a planned ban on vending machines and branding on packets. Half a victory then. Today, the government said a display ban will go ahead in supermarkets in 2011 and smaller stores in 2013. Such a run-up period at least gives convenience stores longer to think about how they are going to overcome the law changes. The government said stores will get help, while it also claimed health will be measurably improved. Opponents to the changes argue that similar regulations elsewhere have not reduced child smoking levels. And there is the argument that says as soon as you make something harder to buy (Class A drugs etc) and placed out of sight, more people want to buy it. However, arguments on both sides of the fence make good points. Yet as with most of these things, they only thing that will truly let us see the impact is time. Related Articles
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