Subscribe to RSSUK - Scotland to increase no smoking age
To keep in line with the rest of the UK, Scotland will increase the age for buying cigarettes from 16 to 18 from the 1st October. This measure had been passed unanimously by all parties making up the government. However retailers where less than happy, complaining that very little had been done to promote this change.
While John Drummond, the chief executive of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation had welcomed the move, he stressed no steps had been taken to protect shop workers. “Already retailers and shop workers face intimidation, violence and abuse when challenging some youngsters to prove their age,” he said.
EU - Austria begins to start a smoking ban
From the 1st September 2007 you will no longer been able to smoke on OeBB the state run railway. A smoking ban had already been introduced on local trains and due to public pressure it had been decided to extend the regulation to cover all trains. This will enable the railway company to better protect their non-smoking passengers according to OeBB head Martin Huber. Austria’s Health Minister Andrea Kdolsky welcomed the decision. In line with other EU countries introducing a smoking ban she is currently considering introducing smoking bans in restaurants and cafes by 2008
EU - Slovenia Smoking Ban Starts
On the 5th August another EU country introduced a smoking ban. This time it it was Slovenia turn. This ban covers virtually all buildings this includes bars and restaurants. You can only smoke in these places if a special isolated smoking room has been installed. If such a place does not exist then you have to go outside to smoke. Smoking rooms can be located in all workplaces, but they are strictly for smoking only, you are not allowed to eat in them. Additionally the legal age limit for smoking has been increased from 15 to 18.
If you break the ban you can be fined up to 125Euros.
FR - French Smokers Face Price Increases
From the 6th of August 2007 prices for cigarettes increased by a further 6%, after the manufacturers and the government finally came to an agreement on how much the price rise should be. The last price rise had been in 2004 when prices where increase between 8% and 10%. There had been a further increase in 2003.
UK - Smoking ban in general a success
The BBC has a report on how successful the smoking ban introduced in England on the 1st July. They report that enforcement officers have visited just under 90000 premises in early July and of these 97% had a ban in place. Councils had issued however 142 written warnings to employers and licensees. One smoke how ignored everything got a fixed penalty fine.
However Simon Clark who is a director of the smokers’ lobby group Forest says that these figures are more due to people being fearful of breaking the law and had nothing to do with how popular the ban was.
Full article can be found on the BBC website here —–>
EU - Smoking Ban Now in force in Denmark
From August 15th 2007 a full smoking ban has come into force within Denmark. It was suppose to start from the 1st April but delayed to give pub and restaurant owners further time to adapt.The new law still allows people to light, however this must be in separate smoking rooms or in secluded one person work areas. You can also still smoke in bars which have an area less than 40 square meters.
Once again it was health concerns which resulted in a ban being introduced. The country health board said the over a quarter of the population is exposed to passive smoking and this is not acceptable. The Denmark’s Smokers Association organised a protest in the Copenhagen’s main square with a group of smokers lighting up at the stroke of midnight.
Places and employees that break the ban can be fined. For first time offenders there is a 2,000 kroner ($350) fine. This increases the second time to 5,000 kroner, and for the third offence it goes up to 10,000 kroner.
Book Review - Allen Carr Easyway to Stop Smoking
Allen Carr’s Easyway to Stop Smoking: I Quit: I Quit - The Only Pack You’ll Ever Need
Available from Amazon the “Allen Carr’s Easyway to Stop Smoking” has sold over 7 million copies worldwide. The book covers the essentials of the Easyway method. It is condensed into a handy format 208-page book and 20 cards which allows you to take it with you where every you go.
It is of immense appeal to people who are desperate for a loved one to stop smoking. Its smokers pack presentation will appeal as a comfort zone to smokers. The gift packaging adds a touch of levity to an otherwise serious subject. With the introduction of a smoking ban in public places, there has never been greater pressure on smokers to quit. The time to promote anti-smoking titles is now. No-one is more aware than Allen Carr that some of the people who are desperate to give up smoking require a different approach to that provided by “The Easyway to Stop Smoking”. To cater to their needs, Allen has refined the method to its key essentials and presents them here in a format that will be a comfort zone for smokers. It has been designed to appeal to smokers who have failed to quit as well as non-smokers who want a loved one to quit smoking for good.
Ways of giving up - Part 3
The use of herbal remedies. We are not talking here about so called herbal cigarettes. If you swap to smoke these you might as well continue with standard cigarettes. The herbal remedies we are referring to are ones such as Avena sativa which is actually based on the common oat.
Avena sativa is available in most countries off the shelf for around £4.50/$8.50. This treatment is not recommended for under 18’s and as usually pregnant women are recommended to speak to their doctors first of all. The main disadvantage with this particular product is that while some people says it help, other say it has no effect whatsoever and there is no research which can back up the claims that it helps.
Another treatment available which markets itself under the herbal brand and is available off the shelf is www.nicocure.com. Though this treatment contains several different products mixed to give a more effective treatment.
Ways of giving up - Part 2
Laser Treatment
No this is not where they use lasers to cut off your fingers to prevent you from holding a cigarette but as a form of acupuncture. The light used is actually a very low intensity one which rather than an industrial laser which can cut through steel, so us quite safe. This light is then directed on to the main acupuncture points of the body. According to some NHS trials this treatment does work, though like a lot of treatments some psychological support when undergoing the process gives it a much better chance of success.
Treatment centers can be found in many countries around the world from the US, to the UK and even in Singapor. Cost vary from country to country but a session is around £70-£80 ($135-$150). At least two sessions would be required.
The main site can be found here—>