Ban cigarette sales in supermarkets, say Dutch doctors

In an open letter on their website on Thursday, doctors' association KNMG called for a ban on selling tobacco and cigarettes in supermarkets, gas station stores, bookstores and drug stores. According to the doctors, smoking is not simply a choice, but an addiction. "Quitting smoking is then also breaking with an addiction and should be approached that way", they write. The KNMG lists a number of measures to help reduce the number of smokers in the Netherlands, including a substantial increase in excise duties on tobacco and a total ban on visible display. The organization also wants to stop the brand specific design of cigarette packets. Finally the KNMG also wants to reduce the influence of the tobacco industry. "It is essential that the tobacco industry is in no way involved in the development of the tobacco policy by the local or national government."