Cancer Research UK, bless their cotton socks, wants Big Tobacco to be obliged to ‘cough up’ to the tune of £500m, the equivalent of one penny per cigarette sold in the UK. The intention is to make up the current government deficit in health funding and would be used in public health services to help people stop smoking.

This is according to a lady on their website called Moderator Kirsty. She also says ‘We know that Stop Smoking Services are the most effective way for smokers to quit, for good.’

Not so fast, BATwoman. Are Stop Smoking Services really the most effective way for smokers to quit? What about this study that showed most ex-smokers quit unassisted?

That apart, the tobacco companies, not unreasonably, might object that they are being asked to pay to dissuade people from buying their poisonous – but legal – products.

Therein lies the clue to ‘help people kick this deadly habit’.

Tobacco doesn’t need to be controlled; it needs to be banned.

In the meantime, as the scientific paper quoted above shows, the best way to quit smoking is – just quit!

For those who find this difficult, take a look at my books or one-to-one stop smoking sessions.

© Gabriel Symonds