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Smoking licence: pros & cons

Smoking is one of the leading causes of lung cancer. As it continues to kill millions of people around the world, experts keep exploring innovative ideas to help the public refrain from smoking.

The latest suggestion is the introduction of a smart card licence for smokers to limit access to tobacco products and also to encourage smokers to quit. Smokers would only be able to smoke and buy cigarettes if they were in possession of a valid licence. 

We asked our users what their views are regarding obtaining a licence to smoke. This is what they had to say:

Pro

Deon: Definitely! Let them have to swipe a card before every filthy cigarette they light up!!!  How about smoking cubicles on the streets where their smoke and contaminated breath can be collected and discarded.  Ban smoking in public – then swipe your card to enter the cubicle.  Limit the number of swipes (e.g. 10 swipes per day or a licence for 100 swipes…) per card.

Con

Eddie: I think people are getting very childish with their thinking and have nothing better to do with their time. Why not put their efforts and money into helping educate the African governments on how to run a country without violence and corruption.

Do you think all smokers should have a licence? Email us and share your views.

(Compiled by Graig-Lee Smith, Health24, November 2012)

Read more: 

How smoking affects your health

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