No Bull

In the furore over alcohol and is deleterious social and health effects, on nicotine and its impact on health and the NHS budget the debate has from time to time shifted to the unfairness of circumscribing access of fundamentally law abiding British subjects to these substances when neither of these is the most ubiquitous, nefarious, subtly addictive product on the shelves of British supermarkets.

Those who are more concerned for consistency than traditional values of freedom of choice will be delighted therefore to learn that the first tentative steps towards a level playing field are being taken; sale of a certain product containing caffeine is now to be controlled. The number of cans of this drink that can be purchased at one time will be limited and restricted to those aged 16 or more. This isn't a development in law but in the policy of one retailer. Where one goes others will follow.

Be prepared to produce your driving licence (or National Identity Card) before you purchase that skinny latte.