Argument goes up in smoke

Observe any bus shelter and you’ll see kids puffing legally bought fags proffered by older boys and girls. The bright packaging/advertising is totally irrelevant: indeed, ask businessmen from where their best customers come and they will say “word of mouth”, not paid-for, advertising. But then what does Labour know about running a business, let alone a country!

If smoking is so lethal and such a phenomenal drain on the NHS why did Labour not ban it when they had 13 long years to do so? Simple:

They would have lost £9 billion p/a in tobacco duties (never mind VAT) which would have to be recovered from general taxation, or £300 p/a per ‘hard working’ income tax-payer (presumably ‘lazy’ tax-payers are exempt?). But Labour vowed not to raise income tax - apart from a 10% rise in ‘hard-working’ workers’ National Insurance!

They could not ban cigarettes without majority EU approval - but then the EU relies on British tax-payers to fund CAP payments to EU tobacco growers!

They wouldn’t be able to fine bus companies £1,000 for failing to display statutory ‘It is illegal to smoke on these premises’ notices at every cold, windswept bus shelter! The smoker, needless to say, is let off!

You couldn’t make this up!

OK, who’s hidden my pipe...

Barry M Jones

Bixley Lane, Beckley, Rye