Politics should be hard work, not a headline grab

DEAR News Of The Area,

HISTORY shows us that prohibition does not work.

You only need to look at alcohol, “illegal” drugs, abortion, celibacy in the Catholic church, gambling, assisted dying and the topic of the day – smoking – to name a few

If people want something, they will find it. All governments can do is to minimise the adverse impacts of such activities through regulation, education, incentives and enforcement.

It is irrefutable that smoking is bad for you and the mounting evidence is that illegal smokes and vapes are doubly so.

There has been a great multi-pronged program in place to reduce the impact of smoking. Why give up now?

Currently it seems politicians would rather spend more money on hospital cancer wards than law enforcement.

What baffles me is the lack of education through school/community programs and advertising about the danger of illegal cigarettes.

Anti smoking ads seem to have dropped off the earth.

Are they saving money? Is the thinking that the war on smokes has been won?

It will never be won but it is a fight worth having.

Politicians, step up to the fight. That’s why we elect you, to protect us – not for you to find the easy way out and grab a few headlines.

Regards,

Graeme Wilson.