If you're a smoker then you might be interested to know that laws are coming in force in the UK, which might be enough to make you stub out your cigarette.
As of the 20 May, you will no longer be able to buy packs of ten, smaller packs of tobacco or menthols.
The laws were actually introduced last May, however, shops were given a year to get ready and to flog old stock.
The new laws:
- You won't be able to buy 10 decks anymore
- Packs of rolling tobacco weighing less than 30g, will also be banned
- Menthols are being 'phased out'
- Flavoured tobacco, like cherry or vanilla, will be illegal
- Plain packaging is to be brought out - with graphic photos of the possible health implications from smoking
- The cheapest pack of cigarettes will cost £8.82
The laws are in place to help cut down on the number of smokers. Campaigners think that phasing out menthols and flavoured tobacco will stop some younger people from ever picking up the habit.
Amanda Sandford from Action on Smoking and Health (Ash), told the Hull Daily Mail: "Cigarettes are already expensive and the price increase of cigarettes is a key factor in making people quit smoking.
Credit: PA
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"So by removing the packet of ten cigarettes this means people will have to find that extra money for a packet. It will hit poorer smokers harder, who are usually younger smokers.
"Paying £3 or £4 for a packet of ten cigarettes at the moment might not seem so much to people and still leave them with change in their pockets.
"But when you have to spend £6/£7, even £9, people may think, 'Do I really need this packet?'"
She also believes that by using plain packaging cigarettes will be 'less appealing', although the laws won't affect e-cigs.
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Source: The Sun, The Metro and Hull Daily Mail
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Smoking