I have been smoking for five years, and the experience has been both rewarding and troubling. From time to time, I am very aware of how damaging cigarettes can be to my health and I take every precaution to stay away from cigarettes or, at least, limit my intake. I consider myself to be in the “grey zone” when it comes to smoking cigarettes, since I do not smoke them on a regular basis.
When it comes to buying cigarettes in the UK, I normally go to the nearest convenience store or corner shop. However, it is not hard for me to find more affordable packets of cigarettes online on, e-commerce sites. To date, I have not had any trouble ordering anything online.
Many people in the United Kingdom know that cigarettes contain toxic, poisonous chemicals and long-term exposure to these can prove to be dangerous. This knowledge does not seem to be enough to put people off buying and continuing to smoke. Smoking is still one of the leading causes of preventable death and disabilities in the UK. However, people still seem to feel “invincible” in the face of cigarettes, thinking that they can never fall victim to the dangers of prolonged smoking.
There are some differences between the prices charged for legal cigarettes and illegal cigarettes. Legal cigarettes can be bought for around £7.00 – £9.00 per packet. This price will vary depending on what brand you choose and whether or not you use any features on the packet such as coupons, loyalty cards, etc. Illegal cigarettes, on the other hand, can be bought for around £3.00 – £5.00 per packet. This is because these products don’t have to go through the same stringent Quality Assurance and Risk Assessment process and pay the necessary taxes that come with selling cigarettes.
I am well aware of the dangers of smoking cigarettes, however, I still find myself getting drawn into the habit every once in a while. Every time I get the urge to buy a packet of cigarettes, I take a step back and think of all the harmful effects that smoking can have on my body. This usually helps me to stay away from cigarettes, however, if I do find myself in a position where I need smokes, I usually opt for a healthier alternative such as an electric cigarette.
From my experience, I believe the UK government should do more to enact a ban on the sale of illegal cigarettes and increase the taxes on all cigarettes. This would help to put an end to illegal activities and also create an environment of healthier lifestyles in the United Kingdom. With the increasing costs of legal cigarettes, I feel as though people would tend to stay away from smoking either legal or illegal products due to the high cost. Additionally, it may raise awareness of the hazards of smoking cigarettes and motivate people to move away from it and toward other healthier lifestyle options.