The introduction today of a new smoking law in Wales has been reported by, among others, the BBC, ITV News and the Guardian.
Each of these reports has a quote from Forest:
Smoking banned at hospitals and playgrounds in Wales (BBC News)
Wales becomes first UK nation to ban smoking at all hospital sites and playgrounds (ITV News)
Wales bans smoking at hospitals, schools and playgrounds (Guardian)
These are the new rules on smoking in public places in Wales from today (Wales Online)
On Friday the Western Telegraph also reported our reaction here:
Welsh Government smoking ban 'wrong' says Forest
And for readers of Welsh (the fastest growing language being learned in the UK) there’s this report:
Ond dywed Forest - y sefydliad sy'n ymgyrchu am yr hawl i bobl fwynhau tybaco bod y gyfraith yn "ddianghenraid ac yn anghywir".
Cymru'n gwahardd ysmygu ar dir ysbytai ac ysgolion (BBC Cymru)
Meanwhile, on the subject of the Budget, Forest has been quoted over the weekend by The Sun, Daily Star and This Is Money (the financial section of MailOnline).
"Common sense suggests this is no time for yet another increase in the cost of tobacco.
"Tobacco taxes are already at punitive levels in the UK. Increasing tobacco duty again would discriminate against the less well-off at a time many people are already struggling."
Or, as I also put it:
"A further rise, following two tax hikes last year, would be another kick in the teeth for consumers who buy their tobacco from legitimate retailers.“
One or two of the headlines suggest a further tax increase will happen. While this would surprise no-one it’s pure speculation, as even The Sun admitted:
A rise is not guaranteed and the Chancellor could still decide not to increase tobacco tax before Wednesday's Budget.
Frankly, anything short of another tax hike would be a blessing but we’ll just have to wait and see.
In the current climate I’ve given up second guessing this or any other government. If it happens, let’s just be grateful for small mercies.
Update: I shall be discussing the new smoking ban in Wales on BBC Radio Wales at 8.45 tomorrow morning.