It looks like the coalition government are putting the boot into the tobacco industry again, presumably in a weak attempt to make it look like the conservatives give a shit about anyone who lives in this country. I am somewhat biased in this argument (although not really, it's not like I have shares in American Tobacco), but I'm still inclined to find modern governments treatment of the cigarette industry both confusing and unfair. Firstly there is the banal and tedious language Andrew Langsley uses in the article to describe his 'passionate' care for the kids, you can tell he really means it. Then there's the specific targeting of tobacco when alcohol is surely the most problematic and frequently abused drug in the country. It is easily as addictive as smoking, it can damage your health much quicker and more effectively, and how many people have choked to death on their own vomit from smoking a pack or smashed an ashtray over someones head because of a strong cigar? I love drinking just as much as the next guy (probably more in fact) but if there was any real parity of judgement then alcohol would be plastered in warnings, advertising it would be illegal, and it would all be sold in plain brown packaging (that actually sounds really cool).
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