Down With The Walls & More!

I was unable to "Blog" for the past 9 days! This post was intended for November 19the, 2008

The Telegram:

"The provincial government is seeking input from tobacco retailers and interested individuals and organizations on the banning of power walls, which are large retail displays of tobacco products."

About time it came I say, these power walls serve as a constant reminder to everyone, but especially youth, that these products are ok to use, no matter at what age. Cigarette sales fall under similar laws and policy as what does alcohol, except the policing of is very lax.

The provision of tobacco to persons under 19 is an offense, meanwhile a kid seen to be smoking by authorities, is seldom to never confronted.

Newfoundland & Labrador’s policy on the marketing of these types of revenue generating products and services are two sided and contradictory. It awes me that we’d promote good mental health by warning of the dangers of VLT, while at the same time promote ALC Christmas scratch & Win. The same is near that truth with tobacco products.

Families often send their kids to the local corner store for a container of milk, loaf of bread or some wieners for the hotdogs. Irony is, right next to the chocolate bar the kid can have with the left over change is a rack of smokes, and the cooler he gets his pop from is full of beer!

Maybe selling all alcohol, beer and smoke products should be restricted to retail outlets that restrict minors from entering, such as NLC stores.

Tobacco, alcohol and gambling products are clearly costing our province millions in health and addiction services. Is it time to re-think?

Brudder