cigarettes uk cheap
As a resident of the UK, I have been surrounded by cigarettes my entire life. Whether it be seeing billboards and advertisements, or walking past people smoking on the street, cigarettes have become a ubiquitous part of our society. However, as I have grown older and become more informed about the dangers of smoking, I have developed a strong aversion towards cigarettes and the harm they cause. In this article, I would like to delve into the world of cigarettes in the UK and discuss the impact they have on our society.
To begin with, let’s take a look at the history of cigarettes in the UK. Although tobacco was introduced to England in the 16th century, it wasn’t until the 19th century that cigarettes became popular. In the 1920s, the world’s first cigarette factory was established in Liverpool. Cigarettes were viewed as a symbol of sophistication and were marketed towards the upper class. However, with the rise of tobacco production and mass marketing, cigarettes became more affordable and accessible to the general public. The first real push towards regulating tobacco came in 1965 with the passing of the Health Warnings Act, which required cigarettes to carry a health warning on the packaging. Since then, there have been numerous laws and regulations implemented to try and curb the harm caused by cigarettes.
Despite these efforts, the UK still has a high number of smokers. According to a survey conducted by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), in 2019, 14.1% of the adult population in the UK were smokers. While this number has decreased from previous years, it is still a significant percentage. This means that there are over 7 million smokers in the UK, and this number includes young people as well. Shockingly, the Children and Young People Smoking Prevalence Survey found that in 2018, 6.3% of 11-15-year olds in the UK were smokers. This highlights the concerning issue of underage smoking and the need for more stringent laws to prevent it.
So why do people smoke despite knowing the health risks? As someone who has never smoked, it is hard for me to understand the appeal of cigarettes. However, after speaking to former smokers, I have come to understand that the addictive nature of nicotine plays a significant role in keeping people hooked. The pleasure and stress-relieving effects of smoking only add to the difficulty of quitting. Moreover, the social acceptance of smoking in certain circles and the influence of peer pressure can also contribute to people starting to smoke.
Apart from the health risks, there are also other negative impacts of smoking on society. One of the most significant issues is the monetary burden it places on the NHS. In 2015, the NHS spent £2.7 billion on treating smoking-related diseases. This accounts for more than 2% of its annual budget. Furthermore, smoking also has an impact on the environment. The production of cigarettes requires vast amounts of land and water, contributing to deforestation and water shortage. The disposal of cigarette butts also contributes to pollution, as they can take up to 12 years to decompose.
Another aspect to consider is the role of the tobacco industry in promoting smoking in the UK. While smoking has been on the decline in recent years, tobacco companies continue to dominate the market, and their reach extends beyond just cigarettes. The tobacco industry has diversified to include products like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, which they claim are safer alternatives. However, there is still a lack of concrete evidence to support these claims, and many experts believe that they could still pose health risks.
In addition to this, tobacco companies are finding new ways to promote their products, despite strict regulations on advertising. For example, Philip Morris International (PMI), one of the world’s largest tobacco companies, has launched its ‘Smoke-Free Future’ campaign, which aims to shift smokers to their newer ‘safer’ products. Critics argue that this campaign is a deceptive tactic to keep smokers hooked and that PMI still derives most of its revenue from traditional cigarettes.
So, what is being done to address the issue of smoking in the UK? As mentioned earlier, there have been regulations put in place to try and reduce the harm caused by cigarettes. These include increasing the legal age for purchasing cigarettes to 18, banning smoking in enclosed public spaces, and introducing plain packaging laws. Additionally, there are campaigns and organizations that aim to educate the public about the dangers of smoking and help smokers quit.
One such organization is Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). Founded in 1971, ASH works towards eliminating the harm caused by tobacco through advocacy, health education, and research. They have played a significant role in implementing policies such as the ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces and plain packaging laws. They also run campaigns to raise awareness about the tactics used by the tobacco industry to promote their products.
In conclusion, cigarettes in the UK remain a prevalent issue, despite efforts to reduce their harm. From the history of cigarettes in the UK to the current state of the tobacco industry, there are many factors to consider when discussing this topic. It is essential for all of us to be aware of the impact of smoking on ourselves, those around us, and society as a whole. Whether you are a smoker or a non-smoker, we all have a role to play in creating a smoke-free country.