For anyone trying to give up smoking I recommend the brand mentioned in THIS article.

It only goes to prove the truth in the old expression, there's no smoke without fire. Smoking has certainly become a hot, and now explosive issue.

On our news this week. A report from an independent panel of inquiry that had been set up by government to look into more ways of helping smokers quit, but more importantly, to stop youngsters from starting. We already have a scheme in place where through the doctor you can get nicotine replacement therapy patches free of charge, there is also a free quit line, where a smoker will be assigned a mentor to help them through the difficult days.

The panel's full recommendations have yet to be released but a couple of snippets were: to have a colossal increase in the cost of cigarettes and tobacco (these are much cheaper in NZ than in the UK) also, all tobacco products should be removed from shop display. At present a shop can only have (I believe) ten packets of any brand on display at a time.

The first may help, not so sure about the second. It's very noticeable that many young women are now smoking, certainly far more than a few years ago. I believe this may be a main target area of the panel's recommendations. I'm sure Michael will agree, the number of young Maori and Pacific Islanders who smoke is far too high, they also figure highly in obesity figures with corresponding problems of heart and breathing issues (especially asthma). Of course the government could do nothing, and accept this as a problem outside their jurisdiction. However, as the tax payer is footing the bill for treatment and hospital beds are being occupied that are required for other health issues, it's a problem that is very difficult to ignore.

Quite recently I read somewhere  that here in New Zealand the price of tobacco products would need to rise four fold just to cover the cost of treatment for smoking related illnesses, at present supplied free by the health service via hospitals. For such a tiny population, that is one hell of a large bill to pay.

On the other hand, ciggies loaded with gunpowder could possibly work better, and do the world of good for the dental profession.

Read your post Robin  and I know how dangerous smoking is and to those around you.

I don't smoke but there was a time in my life, I was very young, I did.

Why— because all the others smoked, we all did.

Then during my nursing career I nursed a man with lung cancer and watched him die, then by the Post Mortem, I saw his lungs.

I never smoked another cigarette. Think of the money I have saved.

It is not only smoking that causes Air Pollution but also Industry.

No country decreases their industry because with that they can earn money and

with that money they build/ buy bombs………….. Hallelujah

The unusual part about the ban by the Brisbane city council, is they have ruled in favour of the non smoking public in an open space, a rare happening but totally proper.

It is said that non smokers have a down on smokers. Now here I totally disagree and I am able to prove the point: in fact it is smokers who have a down on non smokers.

As a non smoker I do nothing that impairs on their well being, especially breathing, I don't do anything that makes their clothes and hair smell. I don't discard dog ends or cigarette ash for others to clear up. Conversely, their habit effects on my well being in all those ways. If people wish to smoke within the confines of their own home that is fine by me. If they wish to continue with a habit that will surely (in one way or another) shorten their life, then again that is their business only. If they wish to meet their end going through the agony of cancer, heart or lung problems, again that is fine by me, I support their right to do so. On the flip side of the coin I strongly object to paying taxes for their health support while they go through the last rights, also the fact they tie up much needed hospital beds and staff before they shuffle off.

As an individual, and here I will speak out for my daughter and all other asthmatics, I have my rights also, one of which is not to be contaminated by their obnoxious pollution.

At present there is a very strong anti-smoking campaign in New Zealand. One of their often used slogans is, “Kissing a smoker is like kissing an ashtray”. A strong message that is completely in order, it's not necessary to see someone light up, usually smokers have an unmistakable odour that advertises the fact for all to tell. 

Just try getting into a smoker's car.

I always keep loose change for parking in my ashtray in the car. I used to hate telling people the car is a no smoking area. I found people would pull the ashtray out just before lighting up, see the money in the ashtray and put their cigarette away and I did not need to say anything.