As a smoker in the United Kingdom, I have been surrounded by the culture of cigarettes for most of my life. From seeing my parents smoke while growing up to being able to purchase my own cigarettes legally at the age of 18, it’s safe to say that cigarettes have played a significant role in my life. However, as I’ve gotten older and become more aware of the impact of cigarettes, my thoughts and feelings towards them have shifted. In this article, I want to share my personal experiences with cigarettes in the UK, as well as shed light on the current state of smoking in this country.
Let’s start with the basics – the legal age to purchase cigarettes in the UK is 18 years old. This means that once you hit this milestone, you can legally buy cigarettes from any shop or supermarket. Of course, this wasn’t always the case. In the past, the legal age was 16 and there were vending machines selling cigarettes in various public places. However, due to increased efforts to discourage smoking among young people, the legal age was raised to 18 in 2007 and vending machines were banned in 2011.
But despite these measures, smoking remains a prevalent habit in the UK, with an estimated 14.4% of the adult population being smokers. This number may not seem alarming, but when you consider the fact that smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the UK, it becomes a major concern. In fact, every year, around 78,000 people in the UK die from smoking-related illnesses, which is equivalent to the population of a small town. These statistics are both shocking and eye-opening, and for me, they have caused me to rethink my own relationship with cigarettes.
One of the reasons cigarettes remain so popular in the UK is their easy accessibility. Cigarettes can be purchased in almost any shop, supermarket or gas station, making it incredibly convenient for smokers to feed their habit. And with the rise in popularity of online shopping, cigarettes can now be bought online and delivered straight to your doorstep. This accessibility makes it hard for smokers to escape the temptation, as cigarettes are always just a few steps away.
Aside from accessibility, the UK also has a long history with tobacco, dating back to the 16th century when it was first introduced by Sir Walter Raleigh. Tobacco use continued to rise in popularity over the centuries, and in the 1940s, smoking became even more widespread after its promotion during World War II as a way for soldiers to relieve stress. This deep-rooted history with tobacco has made it a part of British culture, making it difficult to completely eradicate.
But while cigarettes may be a part of British culture, there are efforts being made to reduce smoking rates. One of the most notable efforts is the increase in cigarette taxes. The UK government has imposed increasingly high taxes on tobacco products, making them more expensive for smokers to purchase. In 2019, the average price for a pack of 20 cigarettes was £10.80, with the majority of the cost being taxes. These high taxes not only discourage smokers from purchasing cigarettes, but also serve as a source of revenue for the government.
Another effort is the implementation of graphic health warnings on cigarette packs. These warnings, which cover 65% of the front and back of the pack, feature graphic images and messages to deter smokers from continuing their habit. Some of the messages include “Smoking Kills” and “Get help to stop smoking.” As someone accustomed to seeing these warnings, I can say that they can be quite disturbing and have definitely caused me to think twice about my own smoking habits.
In addition to these measures, the UK also has smoking bans in place to protect non-smokers from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. These bans prohibit smoking in enclosed public places, such as restaurants, bars, and public transportation. They also ban smoking in vehicles with children under the age of 18. As a non-smoker, this is a welcomed change as I no longer have to inhale second-hand smoke when enjoying a night out.
Moving on to the tobacco industry in the UK, it is dominated by a few big players, with British American Tobacco (BAT) and Imperial Tobacco being the main manufacturers. These companies are constantly releasing new variations and brands of cigarettes, often with marketing tactics that target young people. One of the most common tactics is the use of colorful and attractive packaging to entice younger smokers. As someone who has fallen victim to these tactics in the past, I can say that they work. I was initially drawn to cigarettes with menthol flavor and attractive packaging, thinking they were “cool.” However, as I’ve grown older, I’ve become more aware of these tactics and the manipulation that goes into marketing cigarettes to young people.
But it’s not just about the products themselves; the tobacco industry also has a strong lobbying presence in the UK. This means they have a direct influence on government policies and regulations surrounding cigarettes. As a result, some measures that could potentially reduce smoking rates, such as plain packaging and a ban on menthol cigarettes, have been delayed or overturned.
So, with all of these factors in play, where does that leave us with cigarettes in the UK? While there have been efforts to reduce smoking rates, cigarettes still remain a prevalent habit in this country. And as someone who has been a smoker for several years, I can say that quitting is not easy. The physical addiction to nicotine can be challenging to overcome, and the psychological aspect of smoking – the rituals and habits associated with it – can be just as difficult to break.
In conclusion, the UK has a complex relationship with cigarettes. While its history with tobacco and the tobacco industry’s presence in the country make it hard to completely eradicate smoking, there are efforts being made to reduce smoking rates and protect non-smokers. As a smoker myself, I can say that I am constantly reevaluating my own relationship with cigarettes, and I believe it’s important for everyone, smokers and non-smokers alike, to be aware of the impact of smoking on both personal and societal levels.