Wouldn’t it be easier to just lock-up the kids?

The latest salvo in the War on People of Smoke:

Displaying cigarettes in shops could be banned under government plans being considered in a bid to reduce smoking and discourage children from starting. Ministers are also considering tougher controls on vending machines in pubs and restaurants. A public consultation due to start within months will call for the public’s opinions on these issues. Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said it was “vital” to teach children that “smoking is bad”. “If that means stripping out vending machines or removing cigarettes from behind the counter, I’m willing to do that,” she said.

Whatever next? I suppose there’s little point in arguing that Ms Primarolo is in no position to determine whether or not “smoking is bad”*. Equally, I defy you to find a single teenager who has walked into a corner shop a non-smoker and left it a smoker because they could see some cigarettes on display behind the counter.