Anyhow as a non-smoker and someone that works in public health I see this as overkill. For years the freedoms of tobacco, those marketing it and people that consume it have steadily decreased.
There are certain areas you can't smoke, there are restrictions on where you can buy tobacco products, tobacco is heavily taxed, there are fines that apply specifically to cigarette litter (this one makes sense), there were text-based warnings about the risks of smoking that became warnings with graphics, and currently cigarettes can only be sold at a designated cash register with the products kept out of sight in a draw of cabinet.
The Government says this proposed next step to make the packaging plain will "take away the glamor"
Now it seems tobacco giants are fighting for their rights to par-tay, suggesting that forcing them to put their product in plain packaging infringes on international trademark and intellectual property...and threatening the Government by saying that it may cost them in the legal system.
According to a British American Tobacco spokesperson "The government could end up wasting millions of taxpayers' dollars in legal fees trying to defend their decision, let alone the potential to pay billions to the tobacco industry for taking away our intellectual property"
Source: http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/132588/20110411/smoking-cigarette-law-minister-for-health-and-ageing-nicola-roxon-winfield-dunhill-benson-hedges.htm
To wrap this up and let my readers ponder over this subject I'll just say that wouldn't tobacco companies be just as guilty as the Government in wasting the taxpayers money by dragging the matter through the court system? Then again who wants the Government pushing them around?
Thats pretty freaky! lol.
ReplyDeleteI do smoke, and I think it's overkill >_>
ReplyDeletegod, its such bs, it wont change a thing
ReplyDeleteif you really like smoking, that shouldn't be such a problem. my opinion: this will not change anything.
ReplyDeleteCome on this is ridiculous, do they really think this is going to cut down on smoking?
ReplyDeleteI don't smoke, but think most of the things in place against smoking are completely unnecessary. Sure it's bad for you, but people should be able to put what they want to into their own bodies! Though I must say I do get annoyed by cigarette butts being everywhere...
ReplyDeleteThere is actually some proof that this works. Well, if you compare the cigarette packages in Canada that have like, blackened lungs on the carton verses the plain ones in the states there is actually a greater decline of smoking in Canada.
ReplyDeleteAt least, that's what I've heard.
The companies would be just as guilty, however it's not their problem. It's a bit of rough play isn't it? The government wants to implement something, so the tobacco companies force them up against the people. Smart but dirty. And yes, it's overkill.
ReplyDeletesmokers gonna smoke - it doesnt matter
ReplyDeletegood thing i quit, haha i wasn't really in to cigs to begin with but now i am off for good
ReplyDeleteAren't there even pictures of a smokers lung and stuff like that? I heard about that somewhere. Now *that* would really be gross to see in a store.
ReplyDeleteInteresting read
ReplyDeleteI am not a smoker, I don't like smokers/smoking, but I think these campaigns are over the top. I believe in presenting evidence to people without going into extremes and letting them make the call. I am in favor of restricting smoking to certain areas though. I grew up where smoking anytime aywhere was the norm and I'm MUCH happier now that it's banned in bars, restaurants and public places.
ReplyDeletethere pictures are so unreal :X you need to smoke 10 packets a day to achieve this
ReplyDeleteEveryone knows that smoking is unhealthy. We learn about it school, we see anti-smoking commercials in magazines and television, it's a well known fact. If well informed people choose to smoke despite the risks then that is their decision to make, not the governments.
ReplyDeleteYep smoking is very unhealthy but they will still smoke.
ReplyDeleteI know i do.
I just take my smokes out of the pack and put them in a tin anyway.
ReplyDeleteban cigs and decriminalize weed
ReplyDeletedrop by and say hi if u have time
I think that smoking is very very unhealthy for all and non only for smokers..
ReplyDeleteIf these were actually produced. I think a lot of people would get disgusted with cigaretes and would in some cases reduce or stop smoking. I think is a nice idea.
ReplyDeleteAre you paying more than $5 / pack of cigs? I'm buying my cigs at Duty Free Depot and I save over 60% from cigs.
ReplyDelete