I am fully pro this new horror packages but I am afraid that convinced smokers will find that way to circumnavigate obstacle as usual ( and propel business for new gadgets at same time) :
- printed stickers that could be applied immediately after cigarette purchase to minimize the shock to few seconds only
- old good cigarette case to transfer instantly whole content

our counter action could be then:
-request to print something directly on the each cigarette - for example - earth worms pattern , poo imitation, yellow water marks suggesting that cig was soak with urine.
-limiting available space for smokers by reversing to "forbidden everything that is not allowed" - means that generally all space is non smoking area beside specially dedicated enclosure or gated smoking plot

I wish one day nice new label will be invented and printed on our favourite alcoholic drinks.
Cirrotic liver picture - on Jonny Walker label goes very nicely with Pulmonary cancer on Marlboro

One way to discourage smoking would be to serve customers who go to the service desk at a supermarket before serving people buying cigarettes on the other side.

Most of the time you go to the service desk you wait in a queue for your turn. On the other side a customer rocks up to buy cigarettes and they are served straight away.

How much is a packet of cigarettes now? I used to smoke a bit when they were about $6 for a packet of 25s I think. Smoked one or two cigarettes a day so a packet lasted a while. Gave up over ten years ago. The cost of cigarettes would be enough to turn me off it now.

A liberal view of smoking would be to allow people to smoke if that is what they choose to do. However if it infringes upon the life of others then others should be compensated for it.

Mobydisc said...

.... they were about $6 for a packet of 25s....

heh that was 1963?

Actually I can't talk my first pack cost $4.25.

They are more like a buck a smoke now,and they have 1/2 the tobacco but higher nico levels so the end result is the same. Take about 3 puffs to go down as market research shows time of the essence.

I at least used to smoke rollies, rollie tobacco was about a thousand times better if you ripped open a tailor and compared them.

Yeah I smoked rollies too. Usually Champion Ruby but sometimes Whiteox. I think they cost about $12 or $14 a packet. Much better than the tailor mades but I finished off smoking winnie blues.

Having given up smoking nearly 10 years ago I asked a guy in a shop the other day how much a packet of ciggies was. Jaysus, a pack of 40's was anywhere between $26 and over $35 depending on brand!!!!!!!!!!!
No wonder they hide them behind big white covers. So if they have plain packaging or grose images whats the difference? You cant see the bloody packets anyway.
I know its when the smokers buy them that you see the packaging but if they are hidden it seems to be a deterrent. Like placing lollies and choccies at the cash register, impulse buying or clever marketing.
Ive asked my daughter and her friends about this and they all say that teenage smokers are in the minority these days.

bjw said...


Will beer be next?

Bite your tongue bjw!

Prohibition may work in some ways but will fail to completely eliminate smoking. Prohibition doesn't stop people smoking marajuana or taking other drugs if they want to. Chop chop tobacco is an issue already and the state is only concerned about lost revenue.

The rising cost of tobacco is possibly the best way to discourage smoking. If a packet of cigarettes is well over $20 smokers have two reasons to give up, better health and better finances.

Smoking definately is less popular than what it was in Australia so current measures are working.

Maybe you should wear pants when on your bike...

y'know...

So as you don't get cigarette butts stuck in your helmet

NotWal said...

Just stop smoking ffs.

It's a no brainer. Just stop it.

That's like telling a pollitician to stop lying

I AM A SMOKER; It is a Filthy, Dirty, Disgusting, Anti Social Habit but I am Hooked - Get Over It. I don't smoke inside ANY building and even outside isolate myself from non smokers before lighting up. I too get seriously P**sed Off with Morons that flick butts from cars. I am 100% behind any scheme aimed at stopping fools like me taking up the habit, But have we gone far enough, how about plain packaging for alcohol with graphic images of serious alcohol related road smashes??????