Week 5- Term 3

"Government acts to curb younger smoker"

1. What are the measures to curb smoking?

The government has increased fines for smoking, banned the sale of certain tobacco products and lowered the permit of tobacco and nicotine level. Retailers who are caught selling cigarettes to those who are underage will have their license revoked instead of suspending the license for six months or fined up to $10000. The government has increased the packing size of cigarettes from 10 to 20 to make it more expensive for students to buy them. Labelling the cigarette packing such as '"light" ,"mild' and "ultra light" will be banned as this misleads the students.

2.How successful do you think these measures would be? Support your answer with reasons.

It might not be successful as expected. Students are able to afford the packs now- they're a mere $10 to $15. Therefore, it does not make any difference if they get a bigger pack. Instead, they will smoke more. Furthermore, most students actually get their cigarettes from their older friends or from those selling contraband cigarettes. Instead, they should educate them from young about the harms of smoking, increase in the defence against contraband cigarettes and instead, pack them in smaller sizes but sell them just as much. That way, they can actually feel the hole in their pocket.