As someone who started smoking many years ago, I can definitively say that cigarettes have changed in the United Kingdom over the decades. Long gone are the days when smoking cigarettes was as normal as drinking a cup of tea or having a coffee. Nowadays, smoking cigarettes in the UK is heavily regulated; almost every aspect of owning and using one is subject to numerous rules and laws.
First off, let’s start at the very beginning, getting cigarettes. You used to see people paying and walking out of shops with their cigarettes back in the good old days when smoking was commonplace. But now, you must be 18 or older in order to purchase cigarettes. If you are caught purchasing cigarettes underage, you can face a hefty fine and even criminal prosecution, so make sure to follow the laws.
Moreover, recently, the laws were tightened even more. The purchase of menthol and capsule cigarettes was banned completely throughout the UK as of May 20, 2020. This law was enacted due to a recent increase in the number of young people taking up smoking. Menthol and capsule cigarettes are believed to be more appealing to those under age.
Likewise, the packaging of cigarettes has been affected by the laws in the UK. Cigarettes are now sold in plain brown packaging, with only the brand name on it in small font. The legal reason behind this change was to make the packaging of cigarettes less appealing and to discourage young people from potential smoking initiation. This law extends to the display of cigarettes in store, as it also must be in plain, unappealing packaging without any flashy pictures or logos.
Then there is the subject of where to smoke cigarettes. As you might imagine, smoking has been banned in most places. You can no longer smoke in restaurants, clubs, pubs or other public places. Even if you find a designated smoking area, you must still abide by the laws – smoking between certain hours, disposing of your cigarette butt accordingly, and making sure you don’t create a nuisance. Of course, it is important to stress that, while smoking itself may be legal, it is illegal to give or purchase cigarettes to someone under the age of 18.
That being said, it is still possible to enjoy a cigarette here in the UK without breaking any laws. You could always purchase your own cigarettes, provided you abide by the laws and regulations in place for doing so. Of course, if you do smoke, please take all the necessary precautions to protect yourself and others – this includes using a personal ashtray, disposing of the butt afterwards, and not smoking near any children.
I’m sure we can all agree that there are many dangers associated with smoking, particularly in the UK. All of us should be aware of the laws surrounding the sale and usage of cigarettes, and make sure that we are following them accordingly. Just remember to be mindful of your safety and the safety of others, and keep smoking to the designated areas if you still insist on doing so.