Today is the closing date for submissions to the Government consultation, 'Creating a smokefree generation and tackling youth vaping'.
A new poll has found that almost three-fifths (58%) of people in Britain say that when people are 18 and legally an adult they should be allowed to purchase cigarettes and other tobacco products.
The survey, conducted by Yonder Consulting for Forest, found that 58% of respondents think that if a person can vote, drive a car, buy alcohol, or possess a credit card at 18, they should also be allowed to purchase tobacco.
Fewer than a third (32%) said they should not be allowed to purchase tobacco products when they are legally an adult at 18, while 10% said 'don't know'.
The Government will ignore it, of course, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't share it as widely as possible.
If, however, you're in any doubt about the Government's plans, this press release (Plans progressed to create a smokefree generation), issued today, makes clear their partisan position.
It includes quotes from ASH, Cancer Research UK, and Asthma + Lung UK.
It's almost as if, since the PM's announcement of a tobacco sales ban at the Conservative conference in Manchester in October, Downing Street and the DHSC have decided they no longer have to even pretend to remain neutral during a 'public' consultation.
Plans to introduce the most significant public health intervention in a generation and phase out smoking are progressing at pace, as the government’s consultation closes today.
It must be extremely liberating, but what a joke.
PS. The Telegraph is reporting that 'Vapes could be prescription-only under Labour government'.
Out of the frying pan and into the fire …