The UK Government has begun a consultation on whether or not to raise the minimum age for smoking from 16 to 17 or 18. It is the typical approach of politicians - when in doubt, pass a law.
But significant numbers of smokers begin their habit before the current minimum age. There is no age at which heroin, crack or cannabis are legal - and yet people continue to consume them.
Government sponsored, anti-smoking pressure group ASH thinks that 18 is an appropriate age, to bring tobacco 'into line with alcohol'. But the minimum age for consuming alcohol is 14. The minimum age for BUYING alcohol, or consuming it in a pub, is 18.
If even the anti-smoking nannies are confused as to the current law relating to other legal drugs, what makes them imagine that a change to the current law regarding smoking will be effective?