Recently on the news, there has been a suggestion that smokers should be made to buy cigarettes with a prescription or at a pharmacy. People argued that this is a great way to eradicate smoking, but some argue that there are already measures in place to restrict smoking. In my opinion, I strongly believe that smokers should not be made to buy cigarettes at a pharmacy or to have the need to get a prescription.
If smokers have to get a prescription, clinics and hospitals will be filled with smokers trying to get a prescription for cigarettes. This will create inconvenience for sick people because they would have to wait longer to see the doctor. Seeing a doctor should be for the sick people not for someone trying to get a prescription. It will waste health care, resources, and create cost. If cigarettes are sold in a pharmacy, it would create a long queue and sick people would have a longer wait to get their medication.
There are existing laws on smoking to reduce the number of people buying and using cigarettes. The government has already ordered tobacco companies to put plain cigarette packaging and not be allowed to advertise. The cigarettes now display graphic images of the impact on smoking and warning to deter smoking and think twice. The government has also made it illegal for people under 18 to buy cigarettes. Cigarettes are already expensive by imposing a tax which would deter people from buying and smoking.
Recently, a law has been implemented to only allow smokers to smoke in allocated places. If smokers are allowed to smoke wherever they like it would be inconsiderate for the people who walk past smelling the stench of the cigarette. Smokers should be considerate of the people around them and the law has protected the people.
In conclusion, hospitals will be filled with smokers, there should be laws on smoking and they should only be able to smoke at an allocated place.