Wanna flutter ? Wanna drink ? Wanna smoke ?

[SerendipityJane]

Then hurry up and get to be 25 - or you're barred.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/04/22/gambling-reforms-risk-creating-new-legal-age-definition

Vote Tory - get Socialist.

Good. As you can probably tell from my user name gambling ruined my life and my families life. People underestimate just how addictive and destructive it is.

I welcome this.

Lots of things ruin lots of peoples lives. Tory governments for example.

I am really not sure what that party represents, beyond a bunch of halfwits and hypocrites

I'm 24. I've got a mortgage, 2 children and a husband. I worked my arse off for my degree since age 19.

I don't welcome it. Because I'm old enough to make my own decisions, thank you. Either restrict everyone or leave it at 18+

Holy shit, a good idea from the Tories, who knew?

Its behind a pay wall so can't read, got a share token?

Based on your title i will be very glad if any party makes it harder for young people to take up smoking or gambling.

If I'm paying a lot of tax and voting, I expect to be able to drink alcohol thanks

I think that, before creating new offences, I would like the Tories to start properly funding the police and justice system so that existing crimes can be investigated and tried effectively.

But that wouldn’t make such good headlines, and those seem more important to them.

There are mutterings about the UK considering the New Zealand route for smoking: increasing the legal age by one year per year so children who are currently eg ten years old would never be legally able to buy cigarettes.

I would ban tory governments as well. Fixed Odd Betting Terminaks are awful things. I would ban them completely for all ages. I admit I am biased because my life has been ruined by my husband's addiction to online and offline gambling and I am also a hypocrite because I do like a drink and I know people whose lives have been ruined by an alcoholic partner. However FOBT are not a 'flutter' and they are not harmless.

The gambling industry needs a serious clampdown. Some people can have a little bet and that’s it. It is utterly destructive for others. It is insidious in this country, advertising everywhere, fixed odds betting terminals, instant win games.

I have heard anecdotally that a lot of young people in my area have racked up massive debts with gambling. It is a really bad situation and needs dealt with. It is not the ‘nanny state’ it is regulating an industry that has got away with too much for too long. The fears that it will spill over into the alcohol age limit being raised are misplaced I think. I can’t see that ever being a popular move in this country.

I have issued dire warnings to mum not to give any more booze away. We had some left as dad liked to have guests and I am convinced it will be banned or get more expensive.

you've just reminded me to ask a friend to get me some duty free smokes. He'll probably say no but it can't hurt to ask.

You can - the comments about alcohol are speculation.

They need to ban all gambling advertising like they did with cigarettes' in the 90's. Don't get me wrong I like a go on the Lotto, but I wouldn't cry if gambling was banned totally (not going to happen I know!).

The New Zealand model for smoking would also be good, we have known for decades now about the risks of smoking, there is just no need for it to still be around.

I can't read the article but I agree with the majority.

A further clamp down on FOBT is probably inevitable. A progressive increase of smoking age affecting only children who've never been old enough to smoke is possible. Serious restrictions on drinking would be a huge vote loser.

I want to see improved diction.

Perhaps the Government should be legislating for this?

Excellent news

I think gambling would be fair enough. You could ban smoking entirely as far as I care, so not bothered about that. What with vapes etc I don’t think young people particularly care about smoking.

I think it’s a shame if young people can’t have a drink til they’re 25. That’s just going to make it seem much more exciting that it is.

'could create....' journalist speak for 'but won't'. Yawn.

This is the same government which allowed their friends-who-own-gambling-companies to hugely promote and advertise on TV following the austerity measures and every economic downturn since?

Stricter measures for gambling are needed but there are more effective ways to do it.

Funny how you blame the Torys but it was Labour under Blair that relaxed gambling laws resulting in a boom in these machines. But don't let the truth get in the way of your bias. https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/key-issues-parliament-2015/social-protection/fixed-odds-betting-terminals/#:~:text=FOBTs%20first%20appeared%20in%20betting,roulette%2C%20profitable%20for%20machine%20owners.

Good. Now if they could just ban sugar, we might start to get healthier. And it will save the NHS £££££££. Might even reduce A & E waiting times at weekends and bank holidays as most alcohol related incidents are in the under 25 group.
More research is needed on vaping, as early indications suggest it's not a very healthy pastime either.

Thank god some bloody sense for once

Good news, wont upset people who don't have a problem. And tying it to drinking age reform is pure speculation and I suspect actually a lobbying tactic from the gambling industry.