UK smoking ban: and I thought Americans were weird

Sarkus said:
The UK government are banning single use capes,
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Given the relatively small demographic of superheroes who use them, this wouldn't seem worth legislating. That said, a sturdy cape of long-staple cotton or wool could be reused hundreds of times and would reduce the microplastic pollution that comes from "fast fashion" synthetic fibers. :cool:
 
TheVat said:
No he meant per pack, not per carton. That's why he said "pack."
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He didn't say "pack". He said "packets". So you are implying that a carton would be $1,000? You may be right, it's Australia after all. I can't imagine it would be worth a shops shelf space to carry the product but ...OK.

Edit: I looked it up and a pack in Australia is from 20 cigarettes to 50. Australia used price for the decline. The US had a greater decline but did it largely though cultural means.
 
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TheVat said:
Given the relatively small demographic of superheroes who use them, this wouldn't seem worth legislating. That said, a sturdy cape of long-staple cotton or wool could be reused hundreds of times and would reduce the microplastic pollution that comes from "fast fashion" synthetic fibers. :cool:
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Damn big-fingers-on-keyboard issues! ;) I'd suggest a carbon-fibre fabric, myself. Much more "en vogue". ;)
 
Seattle said:
He didn't say "pack". He said "packets". So you are implying that a carton would be $1,000? You may be right, it's Australia after all. I can't imagine it would be worth a shops shelf space to carry the product but ...OK.
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While I have shown you were wrong in quoting me, your comment "It's Australia after all" needs further comment. As already mentioned (in case you missed it) Australia has introduced as law, bans on social media for under 16 year olds. This was primarilly done to help reduce online bullying, which has cost the lives of some young people who were on the receiving end of such bullying. I now see reports that other countries are considering similar laws. I personally have a cure for bullying. Most hate pain inflicted on their person.

Roosters for ever said:
There is an on-going campaign in Australia, illustrating the known, proven dangers of tobacco and vaping. Starting many years ago with increasing taxes on cigarettes, so that today packets of cancer sticks costs between $40 and $50 a pack.
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Roosters for ever said:
As of early 2026, a carton of 200 cigarettes (10 packs of 20) in Australia typically costs between $380 and $640+, depending on the brand. Due to high excise taxes, budget brands generally start around $380–$420 per carton, while premium brands like Marlboro can exceed $630.

Prices can vary slightly by retailer, but Australia has some of the highest tobacco taxes in the world, with taxes comprising roughly 70-80% of the shelf price.
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Now we can move on, shall we?
 
Roosters for ever:
Roosters for ever said:
I would also say the current gang violence in Melbourne and Sydney we are now seeing, is a result of penis waving with competing young gangs, that are involved in many criminal aspects other then illegal tobacco and vapes.
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There does seem to be an increase in youth gang crime. In parallel with that, it looks like adult organised crime is also paying youths (in gangs or otherwise, but presumably the gangs are easy targets) to commit targeted crimes, including arson attacks.
 
James R said:
Roosters for ever:

There does seem to be an increase in youth gang crime. In parallel with that, it looks like adult organised crime is also paying youths (in gangs or otherwise, but presumably the gangs are easy targets) to commit targeted crimes, including arson attacks.
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Perhaps, (and it goes against my grain to say it) we need to take a leaf out of the Q'Land Premier,s book and his "adult time for adult crime" I believe it is being showed that our justice system needs hardening up.
 
Roosters for ever said:
Perhaps, (and it goes against my grain to say it) we need to take a leaf out of the Q'Land Premier,s book and his "adult time for adult crime" I believe it is being showed that our justice system needs hardening up.
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I think the Victorian government is going down that route.
 
This fellow, in The Atlantic, sets out some of the deeper problems with the UK ban. (Gift link)

www.theatlantic.com

The U.K. Smoking Ban Is Illiberal

Distaste for cigarettes is no reason to cede bedrock liberties to the state.
www.theatlantic.com www.theatlantic.com

This part articulated one of the problems I saw, in an amusing way:

But as people born in 2009 become adults, the law will effectively increase the legal smoking age: They’ll always be just too young to buy cigarettes. This is age discrimination. Twenty years out, if a 47-year-old MI6 agent wants to smoke while playing baccarat or kicking his Vesper-martini addiction, selling him tobacco will be illegal, though selling it to his 48-year-old friends will be legal. Pity the shop clerks who’ll be burdened with carding the old.
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(small math error noted - proofreading is a dying art)

Having David Hockney enter the fray was also a nice touch.
 
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