I note that the UK Govt have decided to act on advice from their experts and not ban Khat - a drug used by Somalis and other Africans, which is banned across Europe and the US

The UK experts say there's no evidence of harm, which begs the question are all of these other countries wrong or is it us?

Some will say ban it for racist reasons. But I have been driven by Somali cab drivers in Southall (try getting a non Somali cab there) who drive like nutters whilst chewing this stuff. However, there is a deal of more scientific evidence available to support a ban. I am curious why this never happened

Then there's the health angle that is rarely considered. What happens to this stuff after chewing? It's spat out of course - and loudly with lots of spit and phlegm as the Khat promotes saliva production. It's a regular noise down the Broadway and it's bloody disgusting. If you haven't experienced the pleasure, you will soon when this stuff becomes fashionable away from the Somali community - which it surely will

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/ho ... 63847.html

Well it would be naughty of us to ban this wouldn't it, the Somali people would be offended and that is a No No here isn't it

I find it offensive when I have to complete a medical form for dental treatment and have to answer if I have chewed khat

I think I'm going to refuse to answer it next time and see what happens

I would just put down that I only chew food

feed it to the birds, that would put the khat amongst the pigeons,

_________________
Its not always the biggest and the bestest, its them that make the least mistakes.

I don't even know what it looks like so why would I eat it?

Many Americans in the deep south chewed tobacco which can also be described as a herbal; stimulant when used in this way. Much evidence exists that this is a prime cause of mouth and throat cancers.

Some interesting info on the wiki page

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khat


So the WHO sees it as a drug of abuse?


So a much increased dependence on the NHS in the years to come by the users of this stuff!!

The Government taxes alcohol and tobacco which of course do lead to long term health problems so the cost to the NHS is offset by those purchasing the product and using it.

Not so the case here!!


There is a list of the wiki page of the Countries which allow it (mostly middle east and the UK) and those who ban it (pretty much everywhere else in the developed World).

Clearly the recent decision by the The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) was made for political reasons and not public protection reasons. At the very least lets hope they move to tax it.

As for the spitting issue this is already illegal under existing bye laws. Why are the local authorities not clamping down on it? Parts of West London have in the past had the danger of a Tuberculosis outbreak, this is spread from infected phlegm ejected from the lungs.

Sunshine it looks like a tightly bound bunch of weeds ...lol. They chew part of the plant and throw the rest away ... there are always bunches of it thrown away around Warley Road area. It is similar to Amphetamine so I'm told ... maybe this accounts for so many sexual attacks by Somalians ?? And have you seen the teeth of someone who regularly uses Khat ? Urgh ... disgusting black rotten teeth Its obviously very addictive - I was on Dawley Road one day when a delivery of Khat came into one of the units there. I have never seen anything like it ... Somalians parking cars all over the grass verges, pavements, blocking the road .... just to get to the gate before the Khat ran out ......

_________________
I do not suffer fools !!!!!

The Government don't need to ban it!! In such circumstances a vibrant black market would establish.

All they simply need do it apply a 300% (of value) import tariff upon it pricing it beyond many of the users reach.

Then apply similar punishments to large scale importers of alcohol and tobacco when people try to smuggle it.

I think no one should be banned from eating chewing or abusing their bodies in any way they like. As long as they understand the risks and that they will not always be eligible for Hospital treatment then fine.

_________________
Lets be careful out there !