Cigarettes, Ban Them From Being Sold in Supermarkets?

We all are aware that smoking is extremely bad for our well being and health. Let me first start by stating that this post is not an attack at the individual smokers themselves but rather the major chains who are selling them.

There are two initiatives that I would like to see the major supermarkets implement. The first initiative is the most desired. These initiatives will greatly encourage people, particularly young people to not smoke. These initiatives will also greatly improve the health of not only smokers, but people who are around smokers (chain smokers).

Firstly, although unlikely, I would like to see cigarettes being completely removed and not sold at the major supermarkets at all. This would cause great opposition from the major supermarkets as a big chunk of their profits actually come from the sale of cigarettes. However, the benefit of this action would be invaluable to the health and well being of our society. It won't stop smoking. It will restrict it however at those locations where they are not being sold.

The second option would be for supermarkets to be allowed to continue to sell cigarettes but all profits or a percentage of the profits from the cigarettes should be donated to a charity etc such as a cancer research foundation. To be quite honest, I'm surprised a initiative like this has not already been implemented by the Government. Here in Australia, the Government has recently put a 70% tax on alcoholic type 'soft' drinks. I think they need to address smoking as well. It is killing more people than alcohol.

We all know smoking is unhealthy and there are no benefits gained from doing it. So lets do something about it. The major supermarkets are profiting from your addiction. I don't believe it is right.

Let me know what you think of these ideas and if you have any suggestions of your own.