WHETHER or not to support pro-European integration parties in the forthcoming Euro-election will no doubt be an issue for all voters. For smokers, however, the matter is even more complicated.
On the one hand, greater European integration will result in cheaper priced products as tobacco taxation levels across the EU are harmonised. This harmonisation is sure to be downwards since other EU nations have indicated that they will not harmonise upwards to higher British prices.
On the other hand, more power to Brussels will result in smokers being persecuted by draconian anti-smoker measures of the EU "nanny state".
The advice from pro-smoking pressure group FOREST on how to respond to this tricky choice is to support political parties who oppose the ban on tobacco advertising and to pop over to the continent for a spot of legitimate cross-border shopping. This way you can avoid the UK government's desire to punish smokers with excessive tobacco taxes.
MARTIN BALL,
campaigns director.
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