Forest: Smokers being ‘victimized’

Wednesday, 29, Aug 2007 12:00

Government plans to imprint macabre images on cigarette packaging is “victimisation” designed to stigmatize smokers, according to a pro-smoking lobby group.

Neil Rafferty of the Forest group - which campaigns for smoking to remain an individual choice - spoke passionately today about the new regulations.

The picture warnings are due to come into force from October 2008 and are available to view on the Department of Health website.

The accompanying consultation claims the images will reinforce existing anti-smoking slogans and remind people of the associated health risks.

But Mr Rafferty rejected this notion, saying: “There are very few people who do not realise the effects of smoking, but the government insists on battering the public around the head with these slogans and images.

“It amounts to nothing less than bullying.”

Mr Rafferty claimed the decision to give up smoking was a matter of personal choice. Having quit the habit himself, he said he believed pushing people was not an affective tactic.

He concluded: “You could argue that alcohol, or fast sports cars should have similar warnings emblazoned all over them. But the government wouldn’t impose this because it would affect the majority. Instead they are victimizing the minority.”

Despite Mr Rafferty’s strong defence of smokers' rights, the majority of consultation respondents agreed warnings needed to be intensified.

One said: “I'm a smoker and am sitting doing this survey with my baby on my knee. It made me think what will happen to my kids if something happens to me. I think maybe it's time I got help to quit.”