Government Sells You A Licence To Smoke
FIRST they came for the smokers: “A ban on the sale of cigarettes to anyone who does not pay for a government smoking permit has been proposed by Health England, a ministerial advisory board.”
A permit to smoke. Somthing like: “The holder of this permit is a supporter of cancer and pollution.” The message will come written on a T-shirt or baseball cap, to be worn by the licencee at all times.
Says the Guardian: “The idea is the brainchild of the board’s chairman, Julian Le Grand, who is a professor at the London School of Economics and was Tony Blair’s senior health adviser.”
Tony was a non-smoker. His paper says:
“Suppose every individual who wanted to buy tobacco had to purchase a permit. And suppose further they had to do this every year. To get a permit would involve filling out a form and supplying a photograph, as well as paying the fee. Permits would only be issued to those over 18 and evidence of age would have to be provided. The money raised would go to the NHS.”
Le Grand says the proposal is an example of “libertarian paternalism”. The government would leave people free to make their own decisions but it would “nudge them” in the right direction.
Smokers will buy ciggies in France or over the web. They will then have invested in so many fags there will no point in giving up because to do so would be a waste of money.
Next up a licence to be fat…
Posted: 15th, February 2008 | In: Broadsheets Comments (2) | TrackBack | Permalink
