Is trying to stop prostitution a waste of time?

Will new prostitution laws work or is the government fighting a losing battle?

  Image from wired_protocol, some rights reserved. It's the oldest profession in the world, but does that mean it can never be stamped out?

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith wants men who pay for sex with women who have been trafficked or are under the control of a pimp to face tougher charges.

Under new laws being proposed today, men could even be charged with rape and face a life sentence.

You can read more about these new prostitution laws here.

Is the government doing the right thing by cracking down on kerb crawlers and men who use brothels, or is it a waste of time trying to stop prostitution?

Do men who have sex with prostitutes deserve to be charged with rape, or is that a step too far?

Have your say on prostitution in the comments box below.