Coalition to support plain packaging: a “breakthrough” for public health

Like most people who stop to think about it, especially those in the health field, I am in favour of anything which will reduce the well-established risks of a high incidence of morbidity and mortality in the community from a wide-range of debilitating diseases which arise directly from cigarette smoking. Now, I’d be the last person to try to denigrate the very worthy and courageous aims of the proposed ground-breaking legislative changes, but, we all know only too well, that, even with bipartisan support, the proposed legislation is fraught with legal challenges that could thwart of even prevent the introduction of plain packaging on all cigarettes products. However, even if, after all that, the changes do go ahead, can someone please tell me what is to stop cigarette companies from bankrolling tobacconists and even enterprising folk in every Sunday markets, to do a great line in eye-catching covers with snappy and colourful logos, that will fit over plain packs of cigarettes- just look at the booming market in stubby holders for beer drinkers! Frankly, I think it would be impossible to legislate to prevent this occurring, and if it has occurred to me, I’m sure the cigarette manufacturers have already thought of it!!

So, I am not for one minute saying, don’t go ahead with the legislation, but just expressing concern as to how effective it may be in the long run, in dealing effectively with cigarette addiction and all the adverse health consequences that flow from it!