IF the driving force behind the Prime Minister's anti-tobacco, anti-vape legislation is to, from a health point of view, “protect future generations” ("Sunak wins smoking ban vote despite Tory revolt", heraldscotland, April 16), perhaps he ought also to consider passing laws to ban all alcohol consumption for anyone born after 2006, oh and he could add banning the sale of chocolate, crisps, sweets, soft drinks containing sugar, sausage rolls, bacon butties and meat pies - anything in fact defined as junk food - to anyone born after 2006 as well.
Honestly, what have we come to as a society when we decide to prevent or ban individuals from doing things they want to and very importantly, choose to do, none of which are illegal?
The type of legislation we are currently witnessing in the process of being adopted doesn't reflect Conservatism or Liberalism, it's dictatorship and a major infringement on the individuals right to choose.
Yes, by all means tighten up and improve regulations regarding better controlling the sale and in-store marketing of tobacco and vaping products and severely punish retailers who flout any tighter sale or display legislation.
Like the quite ridiculous, needless, unenforceable recently-introduced hate crime law, this anti-tobacco legislation must be stopped in its track, removed from the statute books, and let's get our politicians, in Westminster and in Holyrood, back to being focused on what they are paid to do, which is most certainly not to interfere with the individuals' rights to choose what they want to do, or how they choose to spend their hard earned cash.
Paul McPhail, Glasgow.
Netanyahu must be stopped
IT is becoming increasingly apparent that Benjamin Netanyahu will stop at nothing to stay in power. He is not content with destroying Palestinian dreams of their own independent state, committing genocide in Gaza and ethnic cleansing on the West Bank to appease the extreme right who are pulling his strings. Now he is intent on provoking a disastrous war in the Middle East to drag the US and UK into a conflict that could so easily slip into a world war.
Although many media commentators and politicians rightly referred to Iran's attack over the weekend as retaliation for Israel's previous attack on the Iranian consulate, too many talked about Israel's likely retaliation as if Iran's move had been unprovoked.
Be in no doubt, Mr Netanyahu is deliberately trying to draw the US and UK into open warfare with Iran, risking not only the devastation of the Middle East but a world war. Our leaders need to wake up and stop sleepwalking into disaster. They must rein in this madman, and an arms embargo to put a stop to the current genocide in Gaza would be a good start.
Sandy Slater, Stirling.
We can change the world
NEIL Mackay’s article ("World is inching towards war, but what can we do?", The Herald, April 16) was excellent in its overview and analysis of our world conflict situation..
Indeed many are fearful of the future with so many troubles and oppression in the world and alliances of ruthless leaders. His last comment that ordinary people are powerless brought to mind the cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead’s contrary statement: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has.”
Perhaps there have been more things achieved by ordinary people in times of crisis and which may prevent further crises than we will ever know.
So we may indeed be fearful, but we can live in hope.
Irene Munro, Conon Bridge.
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Why Subway is not the answer
PATRICIA Fort (Letters, April 17) takes David Hay (Letters, April 16) to task because "he has not chosen to have an LEZ-compliant car" as if he could have picked one up with his weekly grocery shop. She then suggests that for shopping or theatre trips he and his wife use one of the park and ride car parks and "complete the journey by Subway", leaving aside the fact the Subway is only of use for some theatres and most people who live in Glasgow know the Subway shuts down at 10.40pm and at 6pm on a Sunday so is of no use to theatre or concertgoers.
William Gold, Glasgow.
Descent into the gutter
OFCOM reassures us that this country still has a 9pm TV watershed.
Admittedly, the biggest drawback of Changing Ends (ITV, April 17, 8.30pm) was that it was puerile. My concern is that ITV seems to be testing the water regarding what is acceptable.
This was broadcast pre the 9pm watershed and the constant profanity was indefensible.
The liberal use of the F word was unacceptable, especially as families had just enjoyed For the Love of Dogs.
ITV, which will walk on eggshells regarding Islam, was quite willing here to have insulting, inappropriate use of the name of Jesus which upsets many.
Alan Carr tells us he is a national treasure (sic) but in that role a duty of care is implied, not a descent into the gutter.
John V Lloyd, Inverkeithing.
A role model for Meghan
WE learn that the Duchess of Sussex has produced the first item from her new business venture: a jar of jam ("Meghan launches jam as part of business venture", The Herald, April 17). This story reminds me of a Paisley lady by the name of Mrs Robertson, who was married to a storekeeper who stocked oranges in Paisley. Much of the stock was bitter and of limited value. Mrs Robertson conceived the idea of making marmalade with them. It was well-received locally and eventually it was exported throughout the world. Shackleton’s Antarctic Expedition in 1907 took jars of the marmalade with it on the journey. The name Golden Shred was arrived at by Mrs Robertson after holding some up to the light and seeing the golden light appearing through the orange pieces and jelly .
Meghan will have to go some to outdo Marion, the Paisley lady, who with her husband, James, made the name of Paisley famous all over the world with their marmalade. Meghan has had links with Dumbarton conferred upon her; maybe she could make use of that connection to give her strawberry jam a Scottish twist.
Ian W Thomson, Lenzie.
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