Menthol cigarettes are set to be banned in the UK when new laws come into force later in the year.
The ban, which stems from new EU Tobacco Product Directive laws, will come into effect from 20th May 2020.
This means that Islanders can expect shop shelves to have been stripped of menthol cigarettes in under 6 months time.
Deter young people from smoking
The reason behind the change in legislation is part of the continued efforts to stop young people smoking by banning cigarettes with a ‘characterising flavour’ other than tobacco.
It is also said that the new EU law will also see ‘skinny cigarettes’ also being banned from across the UK.
The manufacturer of cigarette brands such as Marlboro and Philip Morris tried to appeal against the law change to the European Court of Justice. They were unsuccessful in having the ban overturned.
The law was previously changed so that menthol cigarettes could only be purchased in packs of 20. Now they are being banned altogether.
Deborah Arnott of the charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has said the new rules will mean that “no person may produce or supply cigarettes or hand rolling tobacco with:
(a) a filter, paper, package, capsule or other component containing flavourings;
(b) a filter, paper or capsule containing tobacco or nicotine; or
(c) a technical feature allowing the consumer to modify the smell, taste, or smoke intensity of the product.”
What a load of bollocks !
I am a non smoker but have nothing against people who do smoke. What a stupid thing this is to do it’s not a so called (free country) we live in anymore being dictated as to what we can do. Live and let live I say.
our society has decided that smoking is no longer fashionable or wanted and therefore is sanctioning the choice made by the elected government.
Our society works on the principle of “majority rules” . Twenty or more years ago, the majority smoked and as such there was no public or political will to change the view on smoking. Now the majority do not smoke and slowly but surely all smokers will be considered as pariahs and filthy disgusting pigs, who show no consideration to others, by publicly smoking and allowing their second hand smoke to be breathed in by others.
vapes will be next – disgusting, stinking cloud of vape in your face as you walk along the road behind someone who is stupidly using these devices.
Filthy disgusting pigs? Who do you think you are? Not being funny but smokers dont do it because its cool (i dont anyway) i do it to relieve stress and stop me from bein moody… its the only bad thing i do. Think before you start throwing names out at people and shaming people because you dont know what they do things for and the reason they do things. Smoking out in the open is alot better than smoking in doors so if you have such a problem with it then maybe you should walk the other way or avoid it.
Are we now a communist country? More to the point if our brexit date of 31st Jan still stands, why will we be governed by such an absurd Eu law. Adults really should be given the choice. And in regards to curbing children smoking, BUBBLE GUM FLAVOURED VAPES are not an attractive flavour no???? Absolute joke this country now, bunch of bloody sheep we are for allowing it to happen!!!!
Are the “health conscious” authorities, pharmacists and doctors going to ban Mephedrone prescriptions that are actually more addictive and dangerous than heroin?
I’m a non smoker and wouldn’t be bothered about smelling a whiff of mint outside as that is where people have been banned to than sit indoors and be consumed by a cloud of caramel and raspberry vape! Anyway each to their own
An “EU Law”?? I thought we were coming out of all that nonsense at the end of this month….
Do we live in a democracy answer is NO we are not allowed to smoke drink have free speech it has nearly all gone because whatever we say will offend someone many of the young people are becoming entitled and look like robots going through schools been brain washed on certain subjects fed utter propaganda rubbish on that poisonous social media machine. climate change for example yes the world is changing jet streams moving the axis of the earth’s rotation slightly changing which in turn causes extreme weather events yes it’s a natural occurrence and there is nothing we can do to stop it? like the 2 million years ago in the last ice age who was to blame then?? How about human tagging oh it’s happened we all carry one in our pockets the smart phone? The UK is becoming a joke and the was society is going we will stop talking and become zombies just penny’s worth
EU laws and directives will still apply to UK law even when we leave in Jan. The repeal bill will gradually take effect but so many of our laws including those governing health and safety are bound in our laws. It will take at least 20years to rewrite statutes untill then the courts will be busy.
And as a smoker also think in sucks pardon the pun ☹️
I hated this country since the 90’s,my passion for this country has never existed. We are the slaves to them lot. I never voted, never will.
Well, if you have never voted, and never will, and you state you hate this country, why are you still here, find somewhere better. Oh I doubt you will.
What’s it like having room temperature IQ?
Maybe we should ban flavour in alcohol? Or maybe flavour in cholesterol laden fast food? Perhaps we need to ban chemically enhanced sauce, (especially ‘red’ sauce, which really stinks and makes me feel sick!)? Talking about health and safety, when are they going to ban power boats, often carried by yatchs, so that the incumbents can get to shore, because they give off all sorts of nasty fumes and give off sound pollution? Let’s ban hair colourants, essential oils, bleach, peanuts, fly spray,hair lacquer and a Miryad of other things used daily, which can cause harm to people? We must insist that ‘THEY’ keep us ‘SAFE’!
All the smokers and drug takers should sign up to a NHS charter saying that any illness they are deemed to have caught from smoking or taken non prescribed drugs mean they either won’t be treated or have to pay themselves.
Watch them ‘moan’ then.
Likely the ONLY tax many of these losers will EVER pay into Gov coffers.
I will just by normal ciggies and a packet of mints,
I stopped smoking menthol cigarettes when they made my sinuses bleed.
I suggest you check how much tax and duty are included in the price of a packet of cigarettes!
What about Sports people should they be charged if they injure themselves, and car drivers perhaps the NHS should claim money from their insurance companies. Where will this end ?
The joke is that the government are being seen to make every effort to stop people smoking. The truth is, this is the last thing they want because the sale of cigarettes generates them so much revenue in the form of tax.
Is there going to be a ban on golden Virginia as my grandad smokes this rolling tabacco??
Is there going to be a ban on golden Virginia as my grandad rolls his own
Yes a handrolling tobbaco
They will never outright ban cigarettes because the government makes to much tax on the sale of tobacco products..