The forgotten consumer?

The government continues with the 'Tobacco and Vapes' bill, but still no one represents the consumer (ASH and the likes say they do, but is there evidence of that?), nor the ex-cigarette user.

If you are making legislation about something, surely you would ask the people most affected what they want and how it will affect them?

Except that the whole consumer side seems to have been captured by prohibitionist nanny types, the last thing that they care about or want to know about is the end users. I guess we are supposed to do as we are told and not make a fuss?

The problem is, as we see in Australia and elsewhere, people will not just do as they are told; they start enterprises and fill gaps in supply left by (over)regulation and by failure to accept reality. That might mean life-saving products are available to those who can get them, most people, most of the time, maybe?

However, it is far from the ‘sweet spot’ of regulated products with consumer protections, age controls, etc. That would be the safest for all, as it stands a chance of applying to the real world and real consumers. We should demand more from our politicians; they are paid to do the hard stuff like this.

Please write to your politician/lord or the Department of Health, ask them to do better, to do right by the consumer and person they work for (you). Even if you do not vape, because the prohibitionists are appalled by something you enjoy too, we need to stand with each other on this. Alcohol and sugar next, what then?