Smoking is not an adult habit to start. The tobacco industry had to find 5,000 new cigarette buyers every week to replace those who would never smoke again. Half had died; half had given up for the last time.
When seeing a teenager, it was not helpful to tell them they were too young to smoke, as if buying and using cigarettes started in adult years. I would suggest they ask adults who bought and consumed cigarettes the age they had started. In their own teens. Taking up this expensive unhealthy habit is not something done by people in adulthood.
The idea of a progressive restriction on buying cigarettes is generally popular and it is right. Young people cannot believe it was possible to smoke in many underground train carriages, in most seats in an aeroplane, in cinemas and around hospitals.
I would explain clever marketing experts were paid high salaries with the prospect of a significant bonus if they could find their replacement smokers to keep the numbers up.
Vaping may be less bad for adults as a substitute for inhaling tobacco fumes. It is a bad, unnecessary habit for younger people to start. Any doubts I have about tightening the rules on selling tobacco are reduced when reading the self-interested arguments by the smokers’ lobby group Forest, Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking, founded in 1979.
Disposable vapes must come off the shelves for environmental reasons as well as health. Most smokers agree it will be better when they become the last generation of addicts. I am aware of health problems associated with alcohol. There, moderation is a good option.
For a week I have been reading and rereading the long fascinating report of Hilary Cass’s Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People. Do look up the British Medical Journal editor’s interview with Dr Cass, former president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
In parliament and in the wider world, the bigotry evaporates. It is a miraculous example of an open caring review doing good. Now let us achieve common sense on women’s spaces, women’s sports and women’s refuges, hospital wards and prisons. In Scotland, the SNP seemed to become distant from reality because of pressure from their coalition partners.
At the beginning of the week I was at the British Irish parliament. The new Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris reminded us that cooperation north-south and east-west has brought peace; it now must bring prosperity. I have worked with Sinn Fein representatives on affordable renewable energy in rural areas and we plan to look at the cultural industries in these islands. Senator Fintan Warfield has performed with the Wolf Tones.
Peace and prosperity throughout the British Isles and beyond benefits all inhabitants. Senator Fintan Warfield has performed with the Wolfe Tones - an Irish rebel music band that incorporate Irish traditional music in their songs. I introduced him to the songs of Percy French, including the Mountains of Mourne, and to the Gnu song by Michael Flanders and Donald Swann – highlighting the mention of Rustington. In Parliament this week I look forward to attending the New Ireland Commission celebrating and strengthening British-Irish relations.
It was a delight to see children and young adults of all ages come together for the annual Gang Show performance at the Pavilion Theatre. Local Scouts and Guides are an important pillar of our community as are other uniformed brigades and volunteer groups.
At the church hall of Rustington’s St Peter and St Paul, I was grateful to see the activity of the Pantry. The generous congregation make donations at several drop-off points. The local COOK shop kindly gives 30 meals a week as their Random Act of Kindness. Wadsworth Greengrocers donate fresh vegetables. I am proud of our caring retailers.
Volunteers include the person who welcome arrivals, giving them the opportunity to talk, sometimes to share a worry. The liaison officer links users with Citizen Advice, Churches against Poverty, Southern Water and other welfare services.
We should care for others just as we should care for ourselves.
