FAQ: Are Smokers Losing Their Civil Rights?

Smokers are facing ever increasing restrictions as the government ramps up its Cancer Strategy Campaign. Cigarettes are legal but smokers are now in danger of being seen as social pariahs with diminishing civil rights.

What Are The Government’s New Anti-Smoking Measures?

The government has announced a 10 year plan to decrease the number of smokers from 21% to 10% by the year 2010. Under the new strategy the government plans to decrease the eight million smokers in the UK to four million. The smoking ban in public places has generally succeeded but now the plan is to forbid smoking in the entrances of public buildings. Health is the main aspect of the government’s strategy, and to prevent one person’s choice interfering with another's.

Are People Unhappy About the Government Anti-Smoking Measure?

The initial smoking ban was greeted without much resistance in the UK. It does seem that smokers in the UK are not putting up too much of a fight when it comes to anti-smoking measures. Tobacco manufacturers and smokers’ lobby groups such as Forest are understandably unhappy. They claim that the new measures will do nothing to decrease the number of smokers and will simply mean the introduction of more laws that will discriminate against smokers.

Is The Smoking Ban Working?

In terms of people not smoking at work or in public places, such as bars, the smoking ban is working. There are around 2.1 million fewer smokers in the UK than there were 10 years ago. Whether this figure has been boosted by the smoking ban is unclear. An important statistic is that smoking in the 11 – 15 year old age group has decreased by 50% in the last decade. Passive smoking is also an emotive issue with some claiming that smoking around children can be classed as child abuse. This is one area that most people agree should not be allowed to continue.

Are Smokers Being Turned Into Social Pariahs?

Many smokers feel that this is certainly the case and some claim they are now being treated like second class citizens. Anti-smoking advertising that focuses on the unhealthy aspect of smoking is designed to make smokers realise what could happen if they continue. But anti-smoking adverts also focus on the unhealthy look of smokers including bad breath and wrinkled skin, and the issue of passive smoking. Smokers are increasingly being ‘shamed’ into quitting smoking, whether they want to or not.

Isn’t Giving Up Smoking a Good Thing?

In terms of health there is no doubt that quitting smoking will have some benefits. But smoking is a legal drug and the question of decreasing rights is an issue. The statistics given state that seven out of ten smokers want to give up. This still leaves the three out of ten who do not wish to give up their habit or be forced into giving it up. Many smokers say that if the government are so negative towards smoking they should ban it altogether and stop making money from the cigarette taxes.

How Are Smoker’s Rights Being Taken Away?

Prejudice against smokers seems to be growing and there are many companies who will not employ smokers. There have been cases of smokers being fired from jobs after they were caught smoking off premises. Some companies will not employ smokers even if the smoker promises not to smoke during work hours. Other companies forbid employees to smoke when wearing company uniforms, even when off duty. Companies have been known to extend their no smoking rule to half a mile outside of their premises.

Isn’t Not Employing Smokers Classed as Discrimination?

Employers are forbidden to discriminate against employees on the grounds of race or religion but smoking is another matter. Employers are completely within their rights not to employ smokers, and in certain circumstance can dismiss them from the workplace. Again this does seem to be a clear case of discrimination against smokers in much the same way as landlords refusing to rent properties to smokers. Around 30 states in America have now passed legislation that prohibits employers from discriminating against smokers.

Will Smoking Be Banned Altogether?

It’s doubtful whether smoking will ever be banned altogether. Smoking is a lifestyle choice and banning the habit would take away the smoker’s freedom of choice. Although many smokers want to quit, nicotine is one of the most addictive substances and is extremely hard to give up. Banning smoking altogether would no doubt be one step too far in eliminating the rights of smokers.