Australia plans first plain cigarette packets

[FarCenter]

AFP - Australia said on Thursday it would become the world's first country to ban logos and branding on cigarette packets, sparking a furious response from the tobacco industry.

Cigarettes will be sold in plain, standardised packages carrying only graphic warnings against smoking from 2012, under new legislation announced by the government aimed at cutting tobacco use.

"Cigarettes are not cool, cigarettes kill people," said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. "Therefore the government makes no apology whatsoever for what it's doing.

"The cigarette tobacco companies will hate this measure, they will oppose it. Nonetheless we believe this and other measures help to reduce smoking. We intend therefore to get on with the job."

<SNIP>http://www.france24.com/en/20100429-australia-plans-first-plain-cigarette-packets

[AmericaIsGreat]

1. Australia doesn't have a perfect government but

this is awesome:

"Cigarettes are not cool, cigarettes kill people," said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. "Therefore the government makes no apology whatsoever for what it's doing."

Hell yeah! That's what I'm talking about!!

[wake.up.america]

3. As far as I am concerened, they should require cigarettes to be registered as ..

a lethal weapon.

[Dr Morbius]

2. Hmm. Very interesting.

I wonder: is this something which can be done in America? Does the Constitution permit our government enough power to ban logos on specific products? How about banning brands, which are different varieties?

I can kinda see banning logos, but the Australian government is also banning branding. This would mean one pack of mentholated filter cigarettes is just the same as another, and as a smoker (I know, shame on me) I can tell you, they're far from "all the same". A Kool is not a Newport. It just isn't. When government decides to protect the public by banning logos and colorful packaging, I can kinda see that, but if the product is legal, and different private interests are providing the products, isn't branding of some sort essential? I don't see how it can work.

I get that the Aussie government is well-intentioned here, and for those who think they're in the right, I can't argue with that, either. I only wonder when government is going too far, interfering more than is wise.

Hmm. Not quite decided about this. Damn interesting story. Thanks for posting it.

[Corey_Baker08]

4. As A Smoker I Completely Agree With Your Post & Share Your Point Of View!!

:hi:

[grahamhgreen]

6. They should just make it like mmj and make the users grow it.

[miscsoc]

5. "cigarettes are not cool"

bullshit, they ARE cool! They do kill you though. I don't smoke because I'm not into cancer but they do look pretty cool.